Road Accidents Surge on Visakhapatnam's Gopalapatnam-Bapatla Corridor: Call for Speed Cameras
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“My Voice: Views of Our Readers” – A Snapshot of Public Sentiment on 18 Nov 2025
On 18 November 2025, The Hans India published a special edition of its popular “My Voice” column, a weekly anthology that gathers the opinions, concerns and suggestions of everyday citizens. The 2025‑edition, which ran in the “My Voice” section on the Hans India website, is a mosaic of 12 reader contributions that touch on everything from local infrastructure woes to national policy debates. Below is a comprehensive summary of the article, with extra context gleaned from the hyperlinks that the original piece provided.
1. Traffic Safety in Visakhapatnam
Reader: R. Srinivas (Visakhapatnam)
Srinivas writes about the alarming rise in road accidents on the Gopalapatnam‑Bapatla corridor. He cites a recent National Highway Authority (NHA) report – linked in the article – which shows a 12 % increase in fatal crashes on this stretch over the last two years. He urges the municipal corporation to install speed‑cameras and better lighting, and calls for a public awareness campaign. The link to the NHA dashboard also contains statistical breakdowns by vehicle type, offering readers a deeper dive into the underlying causes.
2. Digital Education and the “Digital Divide”
Reader: Ms. Kavita Rao (Nellore)
Kavita laments that many students in her district still lack reliable internet connectivity, especially after the state government rolled out the “Smart School” initiative. The article links to the Ministry of Education’s policy brief on the initiative, which outlines a ₹5,000 crore budget for broadband rollout. Kavita calls for faster execution and better monitoring, and suggests that the state provide mobile broadband hotspots for rural schools.
3. Women’s Safety and the “Safe City” Project
Reader: P. Neelima (Guntur)
Neelima discusses the launch of the “Safe City” app in Guntur, a citizen‑reporting tool for crimes against women. She references a local police press release (linked) that highlights a 30 % drop in reported cases in the first quarter after the app’s introduction. Neelima stresses the need for better follow‑up and judicial transparency, urging the district administration to publish monthly progress reports.
4. Healthcare Infrastructure in Rural Andhra
Reader: Dr. M. Suresh (Kadapa)
Dr. Suresh, a primary‑care physician, critiques the uneven distribution of medical facilities across Kadapa district. He links to the Indian Public Health Survey 2024, which confirms that 17 % of rural households travel more than 30 km for a doctor. He advocates for a policy of “mobile clinics” funded through a public‑private partnership model already piloted in the Srikakulam district (another link provided).
5. Climate‑Change and the Coastal Belt
Reader: R. Venkateswara Rao (Kakinada)
Rao brings attention to the rising sea‑level concerns along the Kakinada coast, citing the Inter‑governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2024 summary linked in the article. He calls for the state government to adopt a “green‑belt” policy and for the central government to earmark ₹2 billion for coastal mangrove restoration. The linked IPCC report offers readers a visual representation of projected sea‑level rise for the Gulf of Kakinada.
6. Youth Employment and Skill Development
Reader: Praveen Kumar (Srikalahasti)
Praveen highlights the gap between the high rates of youth unemployment in Srikalahasti (27 % as per the Labour Bureau data linked) and the limited skill‑development programs. He applauds the state’s “Skill India” training hubs but stresses that industry participation is low. He proposes a “Corporate‑Mentor” scheme, linking to a sample model from the Gujarat government (a link included in the article).
7. The “Green Tax” Debate
Reader: Ms. Latha Shankar (Vijayawada)
Latha supports the introduction of a green tax on plastic packaging, citing the Environment Ministry policy brief linked in the article. She lists the projected 15 % reduction in single‑use plastic consumption, if the tax is implemented in the next fiscal year. She also urges that the tax revenue be earmarked for waste‑management infrastructure.
8. Corruption in Procurement Processes
Reader: Mr. Anil Menon (Kurnool)
Anil recounts a case of alleged bribery in the procurement of municipal water filters. He links to the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) report on the incident, which notes that the tender was irregularly awarded. He calls for an independent audit of all municipal procurement contracts and for the CVC to publish a quarterly transparency index.
9. Public Transport and “Swaraj” Bus Routes
Reader: Radhika Reddy (Eluru)
Radhika argues that the new “Swaraj” bus routes launched by the state transport corporation have failed to connect rural hubs. The article links to the transport department’s route‑map PDF, which shows a gap in coverage for the Eluru–Bhimavaram corridor. She proposes a community‑run shuttle service that could fill this void, citing the successful model in Kerala’s “Bharat Nirman” scheme (linked).
10. National Budget 2025 – A Critical View
Reader: Sanjay V. (Hyderabad)
Sanjay offers a critique of the 2025 National Budget, especially the cuts to education and health earmarked for the 2026 fiscal year. He links to the Parliament’s Budget Committee report, which details a 4.2 % reduction in health expenditure. Sanjay urges the finance ministry to reconsider the allocations, citing the long‑term socioeconomic cost of under‑funded public services.
Editorial Commentary
The article’s editor, Dr. Aparna Nair, briefly summarizes the reader sentiments and emphasizes The Hans India’s commitment to serving as a platform for civic dialogue. She underscores that these voices reflect a broad spectrum of concerns—transportation, education, healthcare, environment, and governance—and that the newspaper will continue to curate such submissions, ensuring that public opinion remains visible to policymakers.
Final Thoughts
The “My Voice” piece from 18 November 2025 offers readers a window into the lived realities of Andhra Pradesh’s citizens. By weaving together individual perspectives with linked data, policy briefs, and official reports, the column not only amplifies grassroots concerns but also empowers readers with contextual knowledge. Whether you’re a policymaker, a civic activist, or simply a citizen, the article serves as a valuable resource for understanding the pulse of public opinion in contemporary India.
Read the Full The Hans India Article at:
[ https://www.thehansindia.com/my-voice/myvoice-views-of-our-readers-18th-nov-2025-1024164 ]