Minister for MSME, SERP and NRI Empowerment and Relations Kondapalli Srinivas laid the foundation stone for a bridge at Marrivalasa Junction across the Champavati River after the government granted administrative sanction. The sanction covers the bridge and an approach road and carries an estimated cost of Rs 65 million (Rs 65 mn). The government indicated the sanction is likely to make the long-cherished dream of 15 villages under Gajapathinagaram and Mentada mandals a reality.

Local residents have long faced seasonal cut-offs when the River Champavati swells, forcing people to wade through neck-deep water to reach mandal headquarters. The loss of connectivity has affected access to higher education, emergency medical care and regional markets for villages including Marrivalasa, Sidagamvalasa, Rayivalasa, Panukuvalasa and Sakivalasa. The disruption has also constrained employment opportunities and routine services for tribal communities on the far side of the river.

Villagers have pursued agitations for three decades seeking a permanent crossing, and an incident in 2022 drew wider attention when a 21 year old woman from Marrivalasa crossed the river to attend work in Visakhapatnam. The state government had previously sanctioned Rs 50 million (Rs 50 mn) for a bridge and pledged completion by 2023, but work did not commence owing to administrative reasons. The renewed administrative sanction has been processed under the Central Government's Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI). Officials said the current package includes provision for the approach road as part of the scheme.

Local leaders have urged prompt mobilisation of resources so that construction can proceed without further delay and residents can avoid recurrent seasonal isolation. The sanction is expected to address long standing hardships related to education, health and livelihoods and to improve routine access to services. Implementation timelines and contractor mobilisation were reported to be under preparation by the relevant departments.