Tribals protest demanding road connectivity in Anakapalli district

Tribals in Anakapalli protest for road connectivity, highlighting hardships faced by remote villages due to lack of proper roads.

Tribals from the interior areas of V. Madugula, Ravikamatham and Rolugunta mandals of Anakapalli district staged a protest near the Gandhi statue at the GVMC building in the city on Saturday, demanding road connectivity to their villages.

Residents of Pasuvulabanda, Jeelugulova, Sompurambanda and Neellubanda villages in Rolugunta mandal participated in the protest, highlighting the severe hardships caused by the absence of proper roads. They said pregnant women and the sick are the worst affected, as they often have to be carried in ‘doli’ due to the absence of motorable roads.

CPI(M) leader K. Govinda Rao, who extended support to the protest, said that a proposal had been prepared by Panchayat Raj Engineering officials for construction of a 3-km road from Kaniman Junction via Jeelugulova to Pasuvulabanda village, with an estimated cost of ₹2.11 crore. However, despite being submitted nearly a year ago, the proposal is yet to receive financial sanction.

Tribal leader S. Kamesh and others were present.