Residents of several villages in Asifabad face inconvenience due to suspension of TGSRTC buses

Over a dozen villages in Dahegaon mandal are grappling with severe transport issues due to the suspension of TGRTC bus services. The collapse of bridge pillars across Peddavagu and pothole-ridden roads have forced residents to rely on costly private transport. Despite sanctioned funds, bridge repairs have been slow, and road restoration is still pending.

Kumram Bheem Asifabad: Residents of over 10 villages in Dahegaon mandal are facing severe inconvenience following the suspension of TGSRTC bus services, caused by the sinking of bridge pillars across Peddavagu at Andevelli village in Kagaznagar mandal and damage to the roads due to heavy rains.

Two pillars and three slabs of the high-level bridge, constructed across Peddavagu in 2001, tilted and sank following torrential rains and illegal sand mining from the riverbed, disrupting the movement of heavy vehicles and TGSRTC buses in 2022. The then BRS government sanctioned Rs 13.55 crore for bridge repairs in 2023. However, the work, delayed due to a fund crunch, progressed at a snail’s pace and has only recently reached its final stage.

---

In addition to the delay in bridge repairs, the 10-km road between Kothmir and Andevelli villages is filled with potholes. As a result, residents of Dahegaon, Ainam, Pambapur, Laggama, Bibra, Kothmir, Pesarikunta, Borlakunta, Ityala, Bodepalli, Jagannathpur, Rallaguda, Kammaripalli, and Oddugudam villages in Dahegaon mandal are forced to depend on private jeeps, auto-rickshaws, and motorbikes to reach Kagaznagar town for their daily needs, spending significant amounts. Students, in particular, are bearing the brunt of the disruption.

Some villagers are trekking to Penchikalpet mandal headquarters to avail themselves of public transport to reach the town. Similarly, residents of a few villages in Kagaznagar and Bheemini mandals are left with no option but to take the Thandur–Bheemini route to reach Kagaznagar town, travelling over 40 km more than the distance via the Dahegaon–Kagaznagar road and spending an additional hour on the journey.

The villagers have urged TGSRTC officials to resume bus services on the Kagaznagar–Dahegaon route at the earliest. “One needs to spend not only money, but also time to reach Kagaznagar town due to lack of public transport. Students are struggling to attend classes,” said Pullaiah, a resident of Bodepalli.

Roads and Buildings Department officials said efforts were underway to expedite the bridge work. They added that funds had been sought to repair the damaged road, which had disrupted TGSRTC services, and that steps were being taken to restore public transport at the earliest.