Tribal families in Neelabandha hamlet of Anakapalli district celebrate first-time electricity with ‘Dhimsa’ dance 

Tribal families express happiness after receiving electricity in their hamlet for the first time after Independence at Neelabanda in Rolugunta mandal in Anakapalli district

Tribal families from Neelabandha, a hillptop hamlet in Arla Panchayat of Rolugunta mandal in Anakapalli district, received electricity for the first time after Independence. Four households comprising around 20 people, who have been living there for many years, were so happy so that they couldn’t contain themselves and performed ‘Dhimsa’, a popular tribal dance, in excitement under the lights.

Following the State government directions, the Anakapalli district administration has been identifying villages which lack basic amenities for the past few months. Recently, District Collector Vijaya Krishnan, who came to know about lack of electricity to a tribal village, directed the authorities from the EPDCL to take steps to provide electricity to the village.

Superintending Engineer, APEPDCL, Anakapalli Circle, G. Prasad, said that following directions from the District Collector and EPDCL CMD Prithvi Tej, they have provided electricity to the interior hamlet for free. He said that many years ago, many tribals from Pitrugedda village from Rolugunta have migrated to Neelabandha. Though it was very tough to provide network due to lack of proper road to the village, the electricity poles were carried up to about six km, he said.

CPI(M) district committee member K. Govind expressed happiness on the electricity to the village. However, he said that the village still lacks road facility, due to which the children are unable to get education, health and other amenities.