Congress cadres draw flak for protest over bridge construction in Mancherial

Congress cadres in Mancherial faced criticism for staging a protest demanding speedy construction of a high-level bridge at Kishtampet. Social media users questioned the need for protests, saying local leaders could instead pressure the Centre and NHAI to expedite the project.

Mancherial: Congress cadres drew flak for staging a protest demanding the Centre and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite construction of a high-level bridge across a stream, Joduvagu, at Kishtampet village in Chennur mandal on Sunday. The protest came in for criticism on social media, with users pointing out that instead of organising protests, the cadre could pressurise local minister Dr Vivek and his son, Peddapalli MP Vamshikrishna, to convince the Centre to hasten the bridge construction.

The cadres said that the Centre and NHAI were showing negligence in creating the facility even as Labour Minister Dr Vivek managed to secure Rs 76.51 crore and get environmental clearance to construct the facility. They raised slogans against the Centre and officials of NHAI for delaying commencement of the project.

---

The agitators pointed out that a three-member committee had not been formed by NHAI so far, reflecting negligence of the Centre. They opined that the bridge would be built once the committee inspects the site of the project and gives its nod. They wanted the authority to immediately form the committee and take steps to commence the work.

However, the cadres were criticised for failing to persuade the Union government and make significant progress in this direction. Social media users opined that Vivek and his son, Peddapalli MP Vamshikrishna, could exert pressure on the Union government and quickly realise the long-pending dream of locals. They wondered if the cadres would stage protests over various challenges faced by people.

A high-level bridge was sanctioned across the stream located in reserve forests between Chennur and Bheemaram mandals in 2016. It was a part of the 148-km NH 63 formed between Nizamabad and Jagdalpur of Chhattisgarh. However, the construction of the bridge is being dragged due to delay in environmental clearance, irking motorists from not only Telangana, but also neighbouring Maharashtra.

In 2024, the NHAI decided to convert NH 63 into a greenfield highway by constructing bypass roads in towns between Mancherial and Armoor. As many as 1,527 acres were identified to be acquired in 17 villages of the district for laying the road network. Farmers of Luxettipet and Armoor, Metpalli, Koratla and Jagtial approached the High Court opposing the alignment of the stretch, hindering the project.