Ambulances cannot reach 1900 villages in Vizag agency; no road connectivity

Visakhapatnam: Lack of road connection in the Visakhapatnam agency villages is hindering the reach of healthcare services in these areas. ITDA officials say they have prepared a habitat profile that could give details of the basic infrastructure facilities available to the poor tribals.

Project officer of ITDA, Ronanki Gopalakrishna, prepared the habitat profile with his officials. It showed that at least 1,839 habitats have no road facility and ambulances are not able to reach the people from these areas, in emergencies, to healthcare centres.

Similarly, 70 per cent of the geographical area has no mobile signal connectivity. Some 85 per cent of the areas has no internet connection while 500 villages have no drinking water facilities. As many as 149 villages have no power connection, he said.

“We are going to provide all the facilities in another three years under 'Mission Connect Paderu 2025,’’ said project officer Gopalakrishna.

He gave a power-point presentation to collector Mallikarjuna Rao at a review meeting here on Thursday. He said the 11 mandals in the agency have 3,789 habitats with a population of 6,04,047 living in 1,21,727 dwellings. In order to cover the entire population, 4,421km of roads needs be laid.
 

“We need Rs 714 crore to provide all the basic infrastructure facilities. We may seek funds under the CSR, NREGA, Nabard assistance scheme, the PM Sadak Yojana and the Left Wing Extremism funding scheme,’’ Gopalakrishna said.

Additional district medical and health officer, Dr Leela said since 90 per cent of the women in the agency are anemic, they need to go for institutional deliveries. On an average, 3,000 childbirths are taking place in the agency a year.

“The situation has improved now. More and more pregnant women are getting admitted to hospitals for deliveries. The government is also giving a financial help of Rs 11,000 to them in phases,’’ the ADMHO said.

- 85 per cent of Agency area has no internet connection

- 70 per cent area has no mobile signal

- 500 villages have no drinking water facility