Private Funding Bridges Transport Gap for 10,000 Nellore Schoolgirls

Logistics and Distribution Timeline

Nellore is preparing for a large-scale logistics operation on July 27, when the first phase of a massive bicycle distribution initiative commences. Out of a total 10,000 bicycles earmarked for the project, 7,000 units are currently staged at Venkatagiri Rajah (VR) High School. Officials confirmed that the remaining 3,000 bicycles will reach beneficiaries by the Sankranti festival. This initiative targets students enrolled in 23 government-operated high schools within the Nellore constituency.

Personal Funding and Educational Vision

Minister for Municipal Administration and Urban Development Ponguru Narayana is personally financing the 6-crore INR project. The decision follows reports that many students face 40-minute walks to attend classes daily. By removing the financial burden of transportation, the initiative seeks to stabilize school attendance for families with limited resources. Mr. Narayana maintains a personal connection to the primary distribution site, VR High School, which is his alma mater. Last year, he funded infrastructure upgrades at the school, where Education Minister Nara Lokesh inaugurated the modernized facilities.

Pre-Launch Inspection

On Sunday, Ponguru Sharani, director of the Narayana Educational Group and daughter of the Minister, conducted a final review of the arrangements. Accompanied by Municipal Corporation Commissioner Y.O. Nandan, she cycled with students on the VR High School campus to test the readiness of the fleet. During her visit, Sharani highlighted her father’s previous efforts to integrate high-level academic resources into the state system, including the launch of free IIT foundation and Olympiad coaching for local students.

Source: The Hindu — Home