Visakhapatnam: The tragic death of seven-year-old Pangi Istare on Monday evening in the Jajula Bandha Hilltop PVTG village has reignited public concern over a lack of basic facilities in the remote settlement of Koyyuru mandal. Essential facilities like healthcare, drinking water and road access are lacking there.Istare had been having fever for a week, but the village’s 30-km distance from Daunur primary health centre and the absence of transportation facilities meant medical aid was impossible in an emergency situation. Eight more children, including Pangi Narika (8), G Jeeva (7), Kurra Pramila (6), Marri Karuna (7), Mari Deva (3), and an elderly person there were having fever but unable to access healthcare due to transportation limitations. The residents rely on ‘doli’, a makeshift arrangement, often needing family members to carry the sick on foot to distant health centres. The villagers also struggle with a chronic drinking water problem. While taps were installed in every house, the motor required to pump water has not been installed. This forces them to rely on spring water, leading to frequent diarrhoea and other waterborne illnesses. Infrastructure woes extend beyond healthcare and water. In 2023, the tribal welfare department sanctioned funds of 1 crore for a metal road connecting Jajula Bandha to Pitru Gadda village. However, work halted midway. Of the allotted fund, Rs 28 lakh was withdrawn without proper execution. A non-functional road further isolates the community, worsening the healthcare crisis. Residents, including Marri Venkata Rao and Marri Kameswara Rao, urged immediate governmental action to improve road access and establish a functional drinking water system. They pleaded for urgent administrative intervention to prevent further loss of lives and to ensure basic facilities for the villagers.
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