Residents of forest villages in Jayashankar Bhupalpally district are struggling to access ration supplies. Some villagers have to walk over 5 kilometers to reach the nearest distribution point. People from hamlets like Pambapur, Nandigama, and Gollabudaram often spend an entire day collecting essential provisions.
There are over 20 forest villages in Bhupalpally Mandal. Villagers from Pambapur must walk more than 3 kilometers to Dikshakunta or Rajiv Nagar for rations. Similarly, residents of Nandigama travel around 4 kilometers to Pandipampula. Those from Gollabudaram have an even longer journey of over 5 kilometers. People from Rampur go to Chikenpalli, while those from Kamalapur must reach Mallampally.
Most residents are farmers and do not own motorcycles. Since collecting rations takes up their entire day, they often have to skip work. On ration distribution days, small village residents rush to get their supplies, carrying heavy bags.
The situation worsens during the monsoon season. Villagers have to cross streams and rivulets, making their journey even more difficult. They often travel in groups to protect themselves from wild animals like monkeys. Some people, unable to carry their rice back, leave it behind, while others sell it to middlemen. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many villagers who could not travel to nearby villages had to go hungry.
Fortunately, the government now allows beneficiaries to collect rations from closer locations. Earlier, some panchayats had ration points as far as 10 kilometers away.
The Telangana government has recently created new gram panchayats. Villagers hope that new ration shops and Anganwadi centers will be set up in these areas. They are urging the District Collector to take action and provide a lasting solution to their struggles.
