Godavari island villagers seek road bridge 

​Kakinada: Dream of people living in island villages of River Godavari for a road bridge is yet to be fulfilled. Their pleas for a road bridge have fallen on deaf ears of the administration. An estimated 8000 people from 1000 families inhabit the island villages like Valasalatippa, Saladivaripalem, Pottilanka, Cherullanka, Sitaramapuram, Chinapeta, Tallarevu, Pillanka, Kottalanka, Pasuvullanka and Chintapalli lanka in Mummidivaram, K Gangavaram, Tallarevu and I Polavaram mandals of East Godavari district.

They cultivate crops and sell their produce on the mainland and purchase their requirements and return to the islands. Their mode of transport for all seasons is boat. They met officials and elected people’s representatives with folded hands for a road bridge. In 2014, the then chief minister Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy promised a road bridge between Saladivaripalem and Pasuvullanka.

The new brought cheers to the villagers, but which is only short lived. Their joy quickly evaporated as the bridge did not materialize. Meanwhile, the current government proposed a road bridge at a cost of Rs 27 crore. But the people are in no mood to be elated but prepared to convey their gratitude all through their lives to those who sincerely execute the road bridge.

By K V Ratnam