Archive · 24 Aug 2026
Three-Month Streetlight Failure Prompts Candlelight Protest in Anakapalli
A tribal hamlet in Anakapalli district has had no working streetlights for three months.
The villagers said the darkness makes nights dangerous.
They are worried about snakes, scorpions, and other insects.
Women, children, and older people are especially affected.
To show their concern, residents held a candlelight protest.
Villagers said electricity officials blamed unpaid bills from the panchayat.
The panchayat secretary and assistant engineer gave different explanations about who should act.
The protesters want the lights repaired and officials to investigate the delay.
PVTG Gadaba villagers in Uduvalasa Gadavapalem have lacked working streetlights for three months.
Residents held a candlelight protest on Sunday night demanding immediate restoration of lighting.
Villagers said darkness has increased risks from snakes, scorpions, and other insects.
Residents attributed the delay to alleged unpaid panchayat electricity bills and official inaction.
Protesters urged the MPDO to investigate, restore power, and hold responsible officials accountable.
- Who
- PVTG Gadaba villagers of Uduvalasa Gadavapalem, supported by CPM district executive member K. Govinda Rao.
- What
- Residents staged a candlelight protest over non-functional streetlights and demanded their immediate restoration.
- When
- The streetlights had reportedly been non-functional for three months; the protest took place on Sunday night.
- Where
- Uduvalasa Gadavapalem hamlet, under Kovvur gram panchayat in Rolugunta mandal of Anakapalli district.
- Why
- Villagers said the darkness creates safety risks and blamed unresolved electricity dues and poor coordination among officials.
Residents and Protesters
Officials’ Explanations
Cause of the outage
Residents and Protesters
Villagers said a lack of coordination and official negligence had left the hamlet without a basic safety facility.
Officials’ Explanations
Residents reported that Electricity department personnel said power had not been restored because the panchayat had not cleared pending bills.
Responsibility for action
Residents and Protesters
Protesters demanded that the MPDO prioritise the matter and that Panchayat and Electricity department officials be held accountable.
Officials’ Explanations
The panchayat secretary reportedly said no demand had been raised in the previous fortnight, while the assistant engineer redirected responsibility to the lineman.
- Affected community
- PVTG Gadaba residents
- Location
- Uduvalasa Gadavapalem, Rolugunta mandal, Anakapalli district
- Local administration
- Kovvur gram panchayat
- Duration of outage
- Three months
- Protest method
- Candlelight procession and protest
- Reported dangers
- Snakes, scorpions, and other insects after dark
- Main demand
- Immediate restoration, investigation, and accountability