TDP MLA Balakrishna’s convoy blocked by locals in Andhra, protesting pending road work

The villagers from Galibipalli blocked Balakrishna’s path on the Lepakshi-Hindupur road on Thursday, demanding the completion of a road as promised.
TDP MLA Balakrishna’s convoy blocked by locals in Andhra, protesting pending road work
TDP MLA Balakrishna’s convoy blocked by locals in Andhra, protesting pending road work
Written by:

A group of villagers are seen blocking Hindupur MLA Nandamuri Balakrishna’s convoy, shouting, “MLA down down, Nandamuri Balakrishna down down,” in a video that has surfaced from the TDP MLA’s constituency. A huge group of villagers from Galibipalli village of Lepakshi mandal blocked Balakrishna’s path on the Lepakshi-Hindupur road on Thursday, demanding the completion of a road to their village promised months ago. 

School children were also seen staging a sit-in protest on the road, as a group of men surrounded Balakrishna’s vehicle and voiced their concerns. “You need to keep this in mind. In spite of such a huge YCP wave, we did this out of affection for you,” one of the protestors from Galibipalli village is seen telling Balakrishna. 

According to Lepakshi Mandal Revenue Officer (MRO) CJ Balaram, construction of the road was inaugurated by Balakrishna a few months ago, but works were halted after the Model Code of Conduct came into place before the elections. Since then, work on the road has remained static. “The road was supposed to cost around Rs 27 crore. An amount of nearly Rs 2 crore was even sanctioned, but works have been stalled since the election code of conduct was put in place,” MRO Balaram said. 

The road was meant to connect Galibipalli village to the Lepakshi-Hindupur main road, where the protest was staged. According to local media reports, the road is in a terrible state, making it difficult for the villagers to access even ambulance services. 

In another video from the protest, as Balakrishna and his associates try to convince the protestors that funds have been sanctioned and works would begin soon, one of the protestors can be heard saying, “These are just empty words to evade the blockade and get away.”

The TDP MLA and film actor was reportedly on his way from the Bengaluru airport to Hindupur when the villagers blocked the road to protest the delayed road works. According to the MRO, the convoy was allowed to move ahead after Balakrishna promised the protestors to look into the matter and ensure that the road would be completed soon. 

Related Stories

No stories found.
The News Minute
www.thenewsminute.com