Hindupur constituency, which is the only industrial town in the entire drought-prone district, is plagued of problems that are causing hindrance to the development of industries and subsequently in providing jobs to locals. Failure of the authorities to provide water is another problem faced by the people of this constituency.
With an aim to provide drinking water to the people and also to the industrial area of Tumukunta and others, the Penna Ahobilam Balancing Reservoir (PABR) was taken up at a cost of `650 crore. This did not cater to the needs of the people of this constituency.
Majority of the locals, even in Hindupur town, get water once in 15 days. “Only some localities, where influential people stay, get water daily,’’ complained M Rajasekhar,a resident of Hindupur town.
People here are forced to purchase a pot of water for `three and drinking water for `five.
The Tumukunta industrial area, which was set up with the efforts of former chief minister the late NT Rama Rao, did not materialise for several years as there was no water supply to it. With the setting up of the PABR, industries started to come and the industrial area now has 23 iron factories. However, very few jobs were given to locals. “Majority of the employees in these units are from Jharkhand or Chattisgarh and locals are not preferred by the managements,’’ complained a union leader.
Another major employment generation initiative, Lepakshi Park was also scrapped due to various reasons. Road connectivity is another issue that has been left unaddressed. A bypass road was proposed at a cost of `5.5 crore more than three years ago but works have commenced only three months ago.
Sand is being illegally smuggled to neighbouring states from the Penna, Kumudwati and Jayamangali rivers and the administration remains a mute spectator to the activity.
Sitting MLA: P Abdul Ghani
Party: Telugu Desam Party
Votes polled: 45,506
Margin of victory: 8,764
Runner-up: B Naveen Nischal
Party: Independent
Votes polled: 36,742
Total electors: 2,06,337
Men: 1,05,693
Women: 1,00,644
Poll percentage: 69.69
Total votes polled: 1,43,664
No of contestants: 13
Men: 13
Women: 0
No of polling stations: 214
Avg per polling station: 964