Official team visits neglected village

 Bhimavaram: The official machinery, at last, moved and concentrated on solving the problems of Cheregudem and Upparagudem villages in Garagaparru Panchayat of Palakoderu mandal on Sunday.

It may be recalled here that ‘The Hans India’ published the plight of Cheregudem villagers who had been facing hardships due to lack of essential amenities like roads and drinking water. The 500-odd populated village did not see a road since Independence. 

Even the village is part of the Garagaparru Panchayati that attracted national news six months back, no official or politician visited this village. The clay roads, scattered gravel are common in the village.  Following the exposure of the news item, the villagers of Cheregudem and Upparagudem started relay hunger strike at Cheregudem which entered the fifth day on Sunday.

The Narsapur Sub-Collector, Sumit Kumar Gandhi responding to the problems of these villagers sent an official team to the village.

Mandal Tahsildar G Ratnamani, Mandal Parishad Development Officer P Venkata Ratnam, officials of Irrigation, Electricity, Panchayatiraj and Fisheries departments reached Cheregudem in the afternoon and addressed the agitating villagers.

 The officials assured that they came to see the problems of the villagers and listed out the issues. The Tahsildar and MPDO told the villagers that soon the roads would be constructed. The irrigation, panchayat raj and fisheries department officials assured them that they would take necessary steps to supply protected water to the people. They also promised them cleaning of the drains.

However, the villagers told them that they would withdraw their agitation only after the Sub-Collector visits their village.