AP -Anakapalli District, Rolugunta Mandal: For 26 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Kondhu tribal families living in the remote hilltop village of Pitrigadda under Arla Panchayat, access to safe drinking water remains a major challenge.
The villagers say that ₹7.50 lakh was sanctioned from Zilla Parishad funds in May to provide drinking water through a gravity-based water supply scheme. However, despite the funds being sanctioned, the actual work has not started even after several months, leaving the families frustrated.
The situation has become particularly difficult as the water coming through the existing taps is reportedly muddy and contaminated. Villagers say that consuming the polluted water has resulted in frequent health problems among residents.
The lack of a proper road has made the situation even worse. Residents, including women, are forced to carry water and other essential supplies over difficult hill terrain.
Villagers have appealed to the authorities to immediately begin the sanctioned drinking water project and provide them with safe drinking water.
Women from the village warned that if the works are not started immediately, they will stage a protest at the MPDO office carrying empty water pots.
Speaking on the issue, K. Govindarao, CPI(M) district executive committee member, demanded immediate action to resolve the drinking water crisis. PVTG Association president Kondatambale Venkatarao also urged officials to start the works without further delay.
The villagers said they have been waiting for a permanent solution for a long time and questioned why the sanctioned funds have not yet been utilised.
Women including Vanthula Radhammа, Gemila Manikumaari and Vanthala Radha, along with other villagers, participated in the protest and raised their voice for basic drinking water facilities.
For these 26 tribal families living on the hilltop, the demand is simple — safe drinking water, a basic road and immediate implementation of the government-sanctioned project.
