Tribals protest delayed road works, cite inadequate access

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Residents of three Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Khond habitations in Arla panchayat of Rolugunta mandal in Anakapalli district staged a protest alleging that crores of rupees sanctioned for road connectivity had failed to improve access to their villages.

Villagers from Losingi, Kotha Singi and Peddaguruvu, with a combined population of around 260, said they continue to carry pregnant women in makeshift stretchers to Kothuru centre during medical emergencies as ambulances are unable to reach the hilltop settlements during the monsoon.

According to the villagers, ₹2.5 crore was sanctioned in 2024 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for construction of a BT road to the tribal hamlets. They alleged that although road works were inaugurated by the local MLA during Palle Panduga in January 2025, only partial earthwork and gravel laying were completed before the works were abandoned. Heavy rains later washed away portions of the temporary formation.

The villagers also said earlier road works taken up with Mandal Parishad funds and public contributions had similarly deteriorated.

CPM leaders demanded durable CC ramps at steep ghat sections and completion of the pending road works.