# Pedapalla

Pedapalla is a village in Alamuru Mandal in the East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh, India.

## History and Overview

Pedapalla is a picturesque village renowned for its temples dedicated to Lord Shriram and Lord Shiva. The village once served as the residence of Rao Bahadur Patelkhana Venkata Subbarao Raja Garu, the Zamindar of Pedapalla and its neighboring villages. As a prominent figure, he constructed a magnificent mansion where he lived with his family. During India's struggle for independence, he made significant personal sacrifices. He renounced his title of Rao Bahadur in support of the freedom movement and actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. In a remarkable gesture of patriotism, he welcomed Gandhi Ji along with other key leaders to his home and contributed substantial amounts of money to the movement, demonstrating his commitment to the cause.
In addition to his support for the independence movement, Raja Garu, alongside his brother, made a lasting contribution to education in the region. They donated several acres of land to establish a school at the heart of the region, ensuring its sustainability through continued maintenance efforts. This school became a cornerstone of education, providing a gateway for thousands of boys and girls from the surrounding villages. Over time, the school evolved and is now a degree college, continuing to serve the educational needs of the community. Many alumni of this institution have gone on to excel in various fields, contributing significantly to the growth and development of the region.
Furthering the legacy of education in the family, his son, Professor Patelkhana Venkata Bhairavamurthy Raja, became a renowned educationist. He served as the Dean at Andhra University and is credited with founding the Environmental Sciences Division, which has contributed to the advancement of environmental education and research in the country.
This village, through its rich history and the contributions of its leaders, offers a striking example of the profound impact of education and social activism on the progress of rural India.

## Statistics

According to the 2001 Census, the population of the village was 3,081, with 1,554 males and 1,527 females. There were 820 residential houses in the village.
According to the 2011 Indian Census, the village covers an area of 281 hectares with a population of 3,054 and 899 houses. The male population is 1,524, and the female population is 1,530. The Scheduled Caste population is 568, and the Scheduled Tribe population is 0. The village's census location code is 587660.

## Educational Facilities

The village has a private primary school. There are two government primary schools and one private primary school. A higher primary school is located in Pinapalli, while the secondary school is in Penikerru. Nearby junior colleges are in Alamuru for government arts/science degree courses and an engineering college in Ramachandrapuram. The nearest medical college is in Kakinada, a polytechnic in Ravulapalem, and a management college in Ramachandrapuram. A vocational training school and special school for differently-abled children are located in Mandapeta and Kakinada, respectively.

## Healthcare Facilities

Government Healthcare Facilities: There is a mobile healthcare unit, but there are no doctors, only three paramedical staff. The nearest social health center and primary health sub-center are within 5 km. A veterinary hospital is also within 5 km. The nearest primary health center is between 5 and 10 km away, and maternal and child care centers and tuberculosis clinics are over 10 km away. Allopathy hospitals, alternative medicine hospitals, dispensaries, and family welfare centers are also located more than 10 km away.
Private Healthcare Facilities: Drinking Water: The village has protected drinking water supply through wells. Water is supplied year-round via hand pumps and borewells.
The village also receives drinking water through canals, streams, rivers, and ponds.

## Sanitation

Wastewater flows through open drains, and untreated sewage is disposed of into water sources. A comprehensive sanitation scheme is being implemented, but there is no public toilet facility or door-to-door waste collection system. There is no community biogas system, and trash is usually dumped by the roadside.

## Information and Transportation Facilities

The village has a sub-post office in Pedapalli. The nearest post office and telegraph office are within 5 km. Telephone services, public phone booths, and mobile phones are available. An internet café and private courier services are also within 5 km. Buses from the government transport corporation and private buses serve the village, and auto-rickshaw services are available from nearby villages. The nearest railway station and tractor services are between 5 and 10 km away. The main district road and district highways pass through the village, and national highways and state highways are between 5 and 10 km away.
The village has paved roads, gravel roads, and dirt roads.

## Marketing and Banking

The village has commercial and cooperative banks, as well as agricultural credit societies. There is a self-help group, a public supply center, a weekly market, and an agricultural marketing society. An ATM is located within 5 km.

## Health, Nutrition, and Recreational Facilities

The village has an Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) center, Anganwadi centers, and other nutrition centers, along with Asha workers. There is a public reading room, and newspapers are distributed in the village. There is an assembly polling center and birth-death registration office. The nearest library is within 5 km, and the nearest playground is between 5 and 10 km away. The nearest cinema hall is also between 5 and 10 km away.

## Electricity

The village has an electricity supply system for household needs. Electricity is provided for agricultural use for 7 hours daily and for commercial use for 13 hours daily.

## Land Use

The land use in Pedapalli is as follows:
Non-agricultural use: 53 hectares Uncultivable barren land: 2 hectares Barren land: 41 hectares Net cultivated land: 185 hectares Land without water facilities: 43 hectares Land with irrigation from various sources: 183 hectares

## Water Irrigation Facilities

Water supply for agriculture in Pedapalli is provided through the following sources:
Wells/bore wells: 183 hectares

## Production

The following goods are produced in Pedapalli:

## Main Crops

Rice