A recent incident in Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitarama Raju district has highlighted the ongoing struggles of tribal communities, especially during the rainy season. On September 26, Jyothi, a member of a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), had to be carried by her husband on his shoulders through the swollen Jaderu canal near Pinjari Konda after giving birth at the Yeleswaram CHC. Another villager carried her newborn while a woman assisted Jyothi. The video of their perilous journey went viral, underscoring the lack of proper road infrastructure in the area.
Despite the Forest Department granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) twice since 2021 to lay a gravel road connecting the Jaderu R&B bridge to Panukurathipalem, the project has stalled due to delays from the Tribal Welfare Department and the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). The tribals have repeatedly urged local authorities to prioritize the 994-meter stretch, crucial for providing access to education, healthcare, and essential supplies, especially during the monsoon when the Jaderu canal floods, cutting off their villages.
The community demands immediate action to build the approved road to prevent further hardships and improve access to essential services.