Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Villagers Halt Gravel Trucks Over Safety Risks in Vijayawada
People in Kothuru Tadepalli stopped trucks carrying gravel because they said the vehicles were dangerous.
Their protest began after a truck driver recently died in an accident.
The villagers said many trucks travel through the village every day.
They also said the trucks create dust and make roads unsafe.
About 1,200 students attend schools that could be affected by the traffic.
The villagers wanted the trucks to use another road instead.
Police spoke with the protesters for several hours.
The protest ended around 1 p.m., but residents said they would keep seeking stronger safety rules.
Residents of Kothuru Tadepalli village stopped gravel-laden lorries and tippers over alleged safety risks and illegal mining.
The protest followed the recent death of a lorry driver in an accident involving a gravel-laden tipper.
Villagers alleged that nearly 700 heavy vehicles pass through the village daily, causing dust pollution and traffic dangers.
Residents said vehicle movement threatens about 1,200 students and demanded that trucks use the Polavaram Right Main Canal road.
Police held discussions with protesters, who ended the roughly four-hour agitation around 1 p.m. after talks with local youth.
- Who
- Residents and activists from Kothuru Tadepalli village, joined across political affiliations, protested against gravel transport.
- What
- They stopped gravel-laden lorries and tippers and demanded regulated movement, covered loads, road watering and action against alleged illegal mining.
- When
- The protest took place on Thursday and ended around 1 p.m.; it lasted about four hours.
- Where
- Kothuru Tadepalli village in Vijayawada Rural mandal, NTR district.
- Why
- Villagers cited a recent lorry-driver death, alleged heavy-vehicle safety violations, dust pollution and risks to motorists and schoolchildren.
- Protest duration
- About four hours
- Protest end time
- Around 1 p.m.
- Estimated daily truck traffic
- Nearly 700 lorries and tippers, according to villagers
- Students potentially affected
- Around 1,200 students
- Requested diversion
- Polavaram Right Main Canal road
- Reported trigger
- The recent death of a lorry driver in an accident involving a gravel-laden tipper
- Authorities present
- Two Town and Traffic police held discussions with protesters