NH-516E: New Lifeline for Araku, Lambasingi as Tribal Land Rights Concerns Persist

To better connect tribal areas of the Eastern Ghats with the rest of the state, the central government is upgrading the 406-kilometre NH-516E into a major highway with World Bank support. Running from Rajahmundry in East Godavari to Vizianagaram, the road passes through some of the state's toughest hill terrain and tribal-dominated agency areas. It used to be a narrow road that frequently got damaged during the monsoon. Now, under a project backed by a $500 million World Bank loan, the central government is spending ₹1,668.93 crore to convert 210.89 kilometres of it into a modern two-lane highway.

The work is being carried out in six sections: Koyyuru to Chaprathipalem (45.50 km), Chaprathipalem to Lambasingi (39.50 km), Lambasingi to Paderu (48.43 km), Paderu to Gondiguda (25.08 km), Gondiguda to Araku (24.29 km), and Bowdara to Vizianagaram (26.94 km). Special construction methods are being used to prevent landslides while keeping the environmental impact low.

The road has already brought noticeable change to Alluri Sitharama Raju district. Travel time from the coast to tourist spots has dropped by 30 to 40 percent. Lambasingi, often called the "Kashmir of Andhra Pradesh," and Araku Valley now draw tourists year-round instead of just during winter. This has boosted homestays and small hotels, creating jobs for locals. Tribal produce like Araku coffee, turmeric, pepper, and fruits now reaches the market faster without spoiling. During emergencies, 108 ambulances can now reach patients and get them to Paderu hospital or KGH in Visakhapatnam much faster.

However, the project has also faced some objections. Widening the road required felling over 7,000 trees in reserve forests, including valuable teak trees. While the government has planned to plant new trees across 120 hectares as compensation, environmental groups say planting a single type of tree cannot bring back the natural diversity of the original forest. Tribal organizations, including the Andhra Pradesh Adivasi Joint Action Committee, allege that road construction and stone quarrying were carried out without first getting permission from Gram Sabhas, as required by law. In areas like Koyyuru, Chintapalli, and Paderu, displaced tribal families and small farmers are protesting, demanding proper market-rate compensation and rehabilitation under the 2013 Land Acquisition Act instead of the usual lower payouts.

The remaining work is expected to be completed soon. Overall, while NH-516E is bringing development and tourism to long-neglected hill regions, it also places responsibility on the local government to ensure fair land compensation for tribal communities and to protect the environment.