Surrounded by Andhra Pradesh’s Rayalaseema region, Pavagada taluk has been isolated due to the Samaikya Andhra agitation.
Transportation has been badly affected and people of the taluk have lost connectivity with the rest of the state. Trade and normal life has been hit as people have to pass through Madakashira and Hindupur taluks of Anantapur district in Andhra Pradesh to reach Tumkur and Bangalore respectively.
Roads have been bloacked by protesters, making vehicular movement impossible. “Fences have been raised at some places,” a source said.
Buses from Tumkur drop commuters till Chandrabhavi, the last village on the Karnataka border. From there, commuters have to make their own arrangements to cross 14 km until they reach Rajavanthi in Pavagada taluk.
“Auto drivers at Madakashira town have been participating in the protests, making it difficult for commuters,” the source added.
Trading communities are particularly upset as groundnut oil mills have surplus stock that cannot be moved. Movement of clothes from Andhra Pradesh has also come to a complete halt leading to a price hike.
Commuter Shivakumar Sakel claimed he has been unable to travel to Tumkur or Bangalore since the protests started.
“Only emergency services like the passage of ambulances are being allowed,” he said.
JD(S) MLA from Pavagada K M Thimmarayappa told Express that he had held a meeting with the joint action committee on Samaikya Andhra in Madakashira. Committee secretary Gangadhara and convenor Mallikarjun have promised to allow transportation from 4 pm till 10 am, he said.