Tribals appeal for electricity supply in ASR district

Visakhapatnam: Tribals from Dabbalapadu village in Ananthagiri mandal of Alluri Sitarama Raju district appealed for electricity supply to their village during the Dial Your CMD programme conducted by APEPDCL on Monday. The hamlet has long suffered without power.According to locals, residents have never seen electricity in their lives. "Villagers rely on wooden torches and oil lamps for all activities after sunset, including meals at night. In 2023, a tiger roamed the area, and locals were losing sleep due to the fear of wild animals. We are surviving, living only by the light of these torches," they said."The village lacks even basic facilities, forcing 10 families to relocate down the hill. With no other options, the remaining residents rely on forest resources to survive on the hill. A solar plant was constructed in 2013, but it has not functioned properly. We demand that the electricity be provided immediately," they added.Earlier, residents staged protests to highlight the issue. Electricity officials visited, took estimates, and left, but the supply has still not been provided. Kosuru Appanna Babu and Kosuru Appalaswami made the call to the EPDCL officials.CPM district executive member K Govindarao has demanded that ITDA officials visit Dabbalapadu and ensure the village receives at least minimum electricity facilities.