CPM’s Cycle Yatra exposes Amalapuram’s water, sanitation woes

Andhra Pradesh: On Tuesday, CPM State Secretary V Srinivasa Rao launched the Praja Chaitanya Cycle Yatra in Amalapuram, spotlighting severe drinking water shortages and sanitation crises while slamming the state government’s unfulfilled election promises.

In a striking call to action, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) kicked off its Praja Chaitanya Cycle Yatra in Amalapuram, to amplify the region’s pressing issues. Led by CPM State Secretary V Srinivasa Rao, the yatra exposed dire shortages of drinking water, chaotic sanitation, and unmet government pledges, igniting a dialogue on accountability as Andhra Pradesh nears Ugadi.

Yatra launch: A symbolic start

The yatra began at Amalapuram’s Gadiaram Center, inaugurated by Srinivasa Rao alongside Graduate MLC IVR, State Secretary Class Member B Balaram, State Committee Member Andra Malyadri, and District Convener Kaarem Venkateswara Rao. Kicking off with garlands at Gandhi and Ambedkar statues, the procession rolled into Vaddera Colony, where residents greeted it warmly, airing grievances that set the tone for the day.

Broken promises: CPM’s charge against P4

Srinivasa Rao didn’t mince words, accusing the state government of masking plunder as progress. “The state government says it will implement P4 from Ugadi, but what P4 really means is to plunder people’s assets and natural resources and tie them up with corporates,” he alleged. He demanded immediate action on election promises—jobs, unemployment allowances, free bus travel for women, farmer aid, and monthly women’s assistance—warning, “Babu Surety demanded that the state government immediately implement schemes… saying that the future is guaranteed.”

Colony crisis: Water and sanitation chaos

In Vaddera Colony, residents voiced a litany of woes: no school, erratic drinking water, and garbage-clogged drainage fueling mosquito swarms and toxic fevers. “Sanitation in the colony was chaotic,” they told CPM leaders. Srinivasa Rao responded, “The people should hold government officials and politicians accountable for their problems,” pledging the party’s support. At Nakkavari Peta, the story echoed—dirty water trickling for less than half an hour daily, despite proximity to canals and the Godavari. “The MLA did not respond properly,” residents fumed.

Eviction fears: Mid-day meal and canal dwellers

At Bonthu Vaari Peta’s primary school, Srinivasa Rao probed the mid-day meal scheme execution, then met canal-side residents facing eviction notices after decades of residence. “The government should agree to demolish the houses only if the victims were given house plots immediately and built houses,” he insisted, amplifying their plea: “If the government suddenly asked them to evacuate, where would they go?”

Workers’ plight: Employment and dumping yards

In Bandarulanka, handloom weavers and employment guarantee workers shared struggles. Workers demanded more days, cleared wage arrears, and raises to match rising costs, while residents flagged a chronic garbage dumping yard issue. “Those who burn garbage are facing many difficulties,” they said, urging its resolution alongside the pervasive drinking water scarcity.

A broader vision: Development beyond roads

Srinivasa Rao took aim at Deputy CM Pawan Kalyan: “He should visit Amalapuram constituency and solve the drinking water problem in the villages.” He redefined progress, stating, “Development does not mean just laying roads, but also ensuring that the drinking water drainage system is in order.” He also criticized the monopolization of roadside coconut trees by the wealthy, advocating their use as a livelihood for the poor.