Residents of Vedullavalasa, a tribal hamlet in Visakhapatnam, staged a candlelit protest after facing three months of total darkness due to unpaid electricity dues and administrative failure.

  • Vedullavalasa (PVTG Gadaba Adivasi hamlet) has lacked street lighting for 90 days.
  • The crisis stems from unpaid electricity bills by the local Panchayat.
  • Villagers face severe safety risks from venomous reptiles entering homes.
  • A formal memorandum has been submitted demanding an immediate inquiry.

VISAKHAPATNAM: The households of Vedullavalasa—a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) Gadaba Adivasi hamlet under the Kovvuru panchayat in Rolugunta mandal—have been navigating their nights in pitch darkness for the past three months. Frustrated by prolonged administrative neglect, the villagers recently staged a powerful protest, marching through the unlit lanes while holding candles to highlight their plight and demand accountability.

Local residents allege that the streetlights have remained non-functional for a quarter of the year because the panchayat's electricity bills and dues went unpaid. When villagers sought answers, they were met with a frustrating cycle of buck-passing among officials. The local lineman blamed the panchayat for unpaid bills, the panchayat secretary claimed no demand notice had been issued, and the Assistant Engineer (AE) directed villagers back to the lineman, creating a loop of institutional irresponsibility.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that this lack of inter-departmental coordination is a systemic failure that disproportionately affects marginalized communities. When local governance structures fail to manage basic utilities, it creates a vacuum of safety and security, leaving the most vulnerable populations to fend for themselves in hazardous conditions.

The failure to provide basic illumination is not merely a technical glitch; it is a profound failure of social justice and administrative duty.

The darkness is far more than a mere inconvenience; it has become a severe safety hazard. Residents reported that without illumination, deadly reptiles such as snakes and venomous centipedes frequently crawl into residential areas, putting women, children, and the elderly at immediate risk during the night hours.

Historical Background

The Gadaba tribe belongs to the PVTG category, a classification used by the Indian government to identify tribal groups that are more vulnerable due to declining or stagnant populations and extremely low literacy levels. These communities are intended to be the primary beneficiaries of targeted developmental schemes, making the current infrastructure failure in Vedullavalasa particularly egregious.

Did You Know?: PVTG communities are identified by the government to ensure they receive specific protections and resources to prevent their socio-economic marginalization.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are the streetlights off in Vedullavalasa?
The lights are off because the local panchayat has failed to clear outstanding electricity dues.

2. What actions are the villagers taking?
Villagers, supported by local leaders, have submitted a formal memorandum to the MPDO demanding a high-level inquiry and immediate restoration of power.