Ananthagiri ZPTC member Gangaraju and other elected representatives staging a protest during the Zilla Parishad general body meeting in Visakhapatnam on Saturday
| Photo Credit: K.R. DEEPAK
The Zilla Parishad general body meeting on Saturday witnessed protests by several ZPTC members from Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, who alleged that the State government was facilitating the revival of bauxite mining and a proposed hydropower project in the Agency areas.Soon after the meeting began, Ananthagiri ZPTC member Gangaraju raised the issue, alleging that the government and the district administration were covertly supporting bauxite mining activities, posing a threat to the rights and livelihoods of tribal communities. He claimed that teams of outsiders had been frequently visiting Agency villages to conduct surveys, which local residents believed were linked to the proposed mining projects.“We have questioned the District Collector, Joint Collector and Superintendent of Police about these survey teams, but all of them say they have no information,” he alleged.Several other ZPTC members joined the protest, alleging that the government had recently granted permissions for surveys related to the proposed mining and hydropower projects. They also claimed that drones were being used for aerial surveys in the Agency region. As the protests intensified, the members assembled near the podium, demanding an explanation from the district administration.Responding to the allegations, Alluri Sitharama Raju Joint Collector Tirumani Sri Pooja categorically denied that the government had issued any orders or granted permission for surveys connected with bauxite mining.She said no mining-related activity was currently underway in the district and that neither the District Collector nor the Joint Collector had authorised any survey for such projects. She added that there had been no official activity related to bauxite mining in the district over the past four years and that the administration had no information about any surveys being carried out.The Joint Collector said any private agency intending to conduct surveys in the district was required to inform the district administration in advance. Strict legal action would be taken if any unauthorised surveys were found to have been conducted, she added.Madugula MLA Bandaru Satyanarayana dismissed the allegations, recalling that he and his party had earlier undertaken a padayatra opposing bauxite mining in the Agency areas.The meeting also saw concerns being raised over alleged illegal gravel mining in Anakapalli district. ZPTC members alleged that unauthorised gravel extraction was taking place in Pendurthi and Rolugunta areas and claimed that those questioning the activity were being threatened. Anakapalli District Collector Vijaya Krishnan ordered an enquiry into the allegations.Healthcare infrastructure in the Agency areas also came under discussion. Zilla Parishad Chairperson J. Subadhra expressed concern over the inadequate number of 108 ambulances in ASR district, stating that only 14 ambulances were serving 11 mandals and often failed to reach patients during emergencies. Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA) Project Officer Sri Pooja suggested setting up a dedicated control room to improve ambulance coordination.Representatives from Parawada highlighted the absence of a dedicated 108 ambulance despite hundreds of workers commuting daily along the Parawada-Atchutapuram industrial corridor to Pharma City.The Madugula MLA also pointed out that 218 anganwadi centres in Anakapalli district remained incomplete and urged the authorities to expedite their construction.ZPTC members from ASR district also raised concerns over the quality of eggs supplied under government nutrition programmes. They alleged that the eggs distributed to schoolchildren and pregnant women were significantly smaller than those available in the open market. Officials acknowledged the issue, stating that they too had noticed the discrepancy and had accordingly reduced payments to the supplier. Published - June 27, 2026 07:10 pm IST
