Andhra Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Panchayat Raj, Rural Development, and Forest & Environment, Pawan Kalyan, has directed officials to speed up construction of roads in tribal regions under the ‘Adavi Thalli Baata’ initiative. He stressed that once completed, the project would provide better road connectivity to 625 tribal habitations.

In a virtual review meeting held on Sunday with senior officials, including the Chief Secretary, Commissioner, and engineering teams of the Panchayat Raj department, the Deputy CM instructed that road works be closely monitored and reviewed fortnightly, with progress reports submitted regularly.

The state government, in partnership with the central government, has taken up the project with an outlay of Rs.1,005 crore. Funding comes from the PM Jan Man Scheme, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and sub-plan allocations. Launched in two phases, ‘Adavi Thalli Baata’ aims to link even the remotest tribal settlements that have never had road access since independence.

Officials briefed the Deputy CM on challenges such as breaking through rocky terrain, designing roads in steep regions, and delays caused by monsoon rains. Of the 128 proposed roads falling within reserve forest areas, 98 have received forest clearances. So far, 186 works have been initiated, with 20 more in the tender stage and undergoing technical evaluation.

Pawan Kalyan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all tribal habitations are free from isolation, in line with Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu’s vision. “Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, the Centre has allocated Rs.555.6 crore for the project. With such resources available, officials must give this programme special focus and expedite works through constant supervision,” he said.

The Deputy CM added that road connectivity to previously inaccessible villages is a historic step, and local communities should be informed about the project’s purpose to gain their cooperation and encouragement. He assured that pending forest department approvals would be fast-tracked through inter-departmental coordination.