Road connectivity, not just a concrete road, but a path to development for tribals, says Pawan Kalyan

Pawan Kalyan said after laying the foundation stone for a 3.4 km long road at Kakavada village which provides road access to 1,400 tribal families across four villages in Rampachodavaram Mandal of Polavaram district. | Photo credit: The Hindu

Deputy Chief Minister K Pawan Kalyan on Sunday (October 11, 2026) launched Adavi Thalli Baata 2.0 to lay 1,976 km of roads connecting 1,341 tribal habitations across the state at a cost of ₹ 2,052 crore, moving closer to his mission to ensure access to education, healthcare and markets. development. At least 735 villages will get road facilities in the first phase.

The roads, including 45 bridges, will be operational by March 2027, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said after laying the foundation stone for the 3.4 km road at Kakavada village, which provides road access to 1,400 tribal families across four villages in Rampachodavaram Mandal of Polavaram district.

Speaking at a public meeting in Kakavada village, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “I have never sought power. My only commitment is to guarantee tribals access to the fruits of development, to protect nature, cultures and traditions.”

“It is the life of freedom fighter Alluri Sitaram Raju that inspires me to serve the tribals of Andhra Pradesh. He continues to be the guiding force to ensure that no tribal family is deprived of the fruits of development,” said Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

“You don’t have to be born as a tribal to serve the tribals of the State and Alluri’s life is exemplary for that,” the actor-turned-politician added, adding that real life contradicts what is portrayed in films in pursuit of such goals.

Compared to non-tribal areas, roads in tribal pockets cost double due to terrain issues, said Mr. Pawan Kalyan. “Tribal pockets have been waiting for mere road facilities for more than seven decades. In a tribal dwelling, the road is not just a concrete road, it paves the way for access to education, healthcare, markets and development. It brings development to an isolated dwelling,” he said.

He said the absence of roads forced the indigenous people to rely on dholi (carrying patients on beds) for medical emergencies and denied them timely access to markets for their produce.

On telecom and internet connectivity in tribal pockets, Mr. Pawan Kalyan said, “As many as 135 cell towers are being commissioned and 48 fiber optic cable routes are under review for permission from the forest department. The communication network will also contribute to booming tourism in tribal pockets.”

Eco-tourism in regions like Araku, Maredumilli and Nallamala hills and coffee plantations in Araku valley are being promoted to improve livelihood opportunities for tribal communities, added Mr. Pawan Kalyan.

He also started distribution of 38 types of agricultural implements to tribal farmers with 90% subsidy. ₹ 68 crore is being spent on the initiative, which aims to cover 34,000 farmers to increase their income and production.

Before the public meeting, Mr. Pawan Kalyan interacted with the indigenous people in Rakota village. Responding to their appeals, he approved ₹5 crore worth of social works, including renovation of schools and medical and health facilities.

Interacting with bamboo artisans of Konda Reddi tribe of Maredumilli forest area, Mr. Pawan Kalyan assured them of market connectivity for their handicrafts. He was joined by Chief Principal Conservator of Forests PV Chalapathi Rao, Kakinada MP T. Uday Srinivas and Rampachodavaram MLA M. Sirisha.

Published – 11 Oct 2026 16:02 IST