Tribal Villagers Protest Lack of Road Connectivity

Residents of Pasuvulabanda village in Andhra Pradesh’s Anakapalli district, belonging to the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), protested on horseback, demanding immediate construction of a motorable road to their hamlets. The villagers claim that the absence of a road has forced them to carry pregnant women and sick persons in dolis, trekking nearly 3 km to reach the nearest road point.

The tribals allege that the lack of road connectivity has delayed access to healthcare, resulting in deaths, including those of Sidiri Venkata Rao and Korra Babu Rao. Patients are carried in dolis to the road point, from where they are shifted to the Kothakota PHC. The villagers say power supply was provided, but road connectivity remains pending.

Estimates for a metal road were prepared, but the project is yet to be sanctioned. The villagers demand completion of road works launched under the ‘Palle Panduga’ programme, including works between Arla and Pitrigedda, YB Patnam and Peda Garuvu via Lambasingi, and Z Jogumpeta to Neredubanda.

The protest was led by CPI(M) district leader K Govinda Rao and PVTG leaders, highlighting the struggles faced by tribal communities in accessing basic amenities. The villagers urge authorities to address their demands and provide improved healthcare access and infrastructure.