Tribals Demand Roads, Water Amid Tourism Push in ASR

visakhapatnam: Tribal residents at Amalaguda village in Alluri Sitarama Raju district staged a protest to highlight their long-standing neglect. Carrying an empty doli, a makeshift stretcher, they embarked on the two-kilometre-long “Doli Yatra” from their hamlet to the road leading to Tadiguda Falls. This unique protest took place in a tourist area where hundreds of visitors witnessed the stark contrast between the tourism that is often promoted and the deprivation faced by local communities.

Amalaguda is home to just eight families and is located three kilometers from the Ananthagiri mandal headquarters. Despite this proximity, the village remains devoid of basic services as it lacks the necessary road access and drinking water facilities. Residents rely on natural springs for their water supply, and when diseases arise they have to transport patients along dense forest roads using dolis. Tourists visiting Tadiguda Falls often come across these processions, which serve as a reminder of the hardships endured by the tribal population.

Road construction started years ago, but was left unfinished after two kilometers. The unfinished part has since been covered with thick vegetation, making it impassable. Villagers have attempted to clear the forest themselves many times through community efforts known as Shramadan, hoping to restore access. However, Panchayat officials gave only verbal assurance, promising to open the road but failed to follow through. Complaints forwarded to the district collector and mandal MPDO office through the public grievance redressal system also remained unanswered.

Citizens’ anger has now reached its peak. Villagers like Korra Gopi and Korra Kausalya announced that they would take their protests to Manda headquarters if they did not have basic amenities, including drinking water and road connectivity.