It was like Waiting For Godot for the inhabitants of Aidu Donala Tanda, a small hamlet in Narayanpur mandal of Yadadri-Bhuvangiri district. That was until Tuesday. The habitation of about 200 people got its first road ever and public bus service, and life changed for the better.
Home to several tribal families even before Independence, Aidu Donala thanda was until Tuesday accessible only by dusty rough terrain over bumps, though just 50 km from the State capital. It was so backward that until recently there was not even a proper road here. And, this monsoon would be the first when residents here would not need to worry about walking in the rain, as the first state transport bus service was launched by State Energy Minister G Jagadishwar Reddy and Rachakonda Commissioner of Police Mahesh M. Bhagwat on Tuesday.
‘Sarkari motor’
Tribals welcomed the bus service by singing traditional songs. “At last, Sarkari motor has come to our village. Thanks to the Rachakonda police for laying the road,” said 75-year-old Ramavat Rupla, who has witnessed Naxalite movement in the area among other things.
For decades, the tribals used to walk for about an hour — or travelled in auto rickshaws which came later — to board a bus from Kadel Bavi thanda, 6 km away from their hamlet.
The problem was compounded during medical emergencies, as hardly any transportation facility was available after sunset and patients were carried on cots or bullock carts to reach Kadel Bavi tanda, from where they were shifted to nearby hospitals.
The stretch of over 6 km between Aidu Donala tanda and Kadel Bavi tanda near Rachakonda Fort was laid by the police department as part of ‘Rakshakabata’ initiative.
Talking to The Hindu , Mr. Bhagwat said that in February 2017 he adopted the gram panchayat and initiated several development projects under community policing. “As promised, a TSRTC bus connectivity is provided to this remote hamlet,” he said.
TSRTC Joint Director Venkat Rao said that initially, the corporation would operate two services a day — in the morning and evening — from Ibrahimpatnam depot via Kadel Bavi thanda. “The first bus will reach the tanda by 9 a.m. and the last one will leave by 5 p.m.,” the official said.
