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The Hindu
3 days ago
- General
- The Hindu
Amid years of hardship, Kolanjimadam tribal settlement awaits construction of a bridge
Over 60 families residing in the Kolanjimadam tribal settlement, which is part of Modhiramalai region in Kadayal town panchayat in Kanniyakumari district, have been facing hardships for years due to absence of proper roads and a connecting bridge, forcing the people to cross a river on foot to access essential services. Kolanjimadam, located around 15 km from Pechiparai, is home to the Kaani tribal community. The people are dependent on cultivation of pepper, pineapple, rubber and other crops for their livelihood. They carry the products to nearby towns such as Kulasekaram and Kaliyal to sell them. The settlement also has children going to school and elderly women engaged in fishing in a nearby waterbody. However, for all the essential activities, they must cross Kumabaiaaru River flowing through the hamlet, on foot. When the river is in spate, their daily routine comes to a standstill until the flow subsides. Mani, 75, who is mourning the loss of his son-in-law, says: 'My son-in-law was unwell for a week. While my grandson was carrying him to the hospital, he died on the way. If there had been a road or at least a bridge his life could have been saved.' The hamlet has many school-going students and their education is affected due to absence of the bridge. 'When the flow of water increases, they are forced to miss school, even during important exams.' Dinesh, a youth from the settlement, says: 'Our people carry heavy load on their heads to move from one side to the other. A bridge would ease their burden, especially when transporting essential items such as ration supplies and goods for selling.' However, when an amount of ₹2.16 crore was sanctioned under the Special Area Development Project (SADP) two years ago for construction of a road and two bridges in the hamlet, differences between the forest department and villagers delayed the project. Soundara Raj, Village Forest Committee President, says a preliminary proposal was made for two bridges and roads in the region and three-fourth funds were sanctioned. 'But those proposals were made without getting a no-objection certificate from the Forest Department. When the department reviewed the project, their survey showed that many trees would need to be cut. So, they approved only construction of a steel bridge, which is still pending.' Some people in the region insist on both road and bridges, even a steel bridge with a minimum load capacity, sufficient for an auto rickshaw and an ambulance to pass. An official from the Forest Department, Kanniyakumari, says: 'We approved a steel bridge with limited carrying capacity about a year ago. But constructing a road and two concrete bridges is not feasible, as it would require cutting down more than 80 trees.' The remaining funds could be used for other development works in the tribal settlement, the offiicial adds. Highlighting the issue of wild elephant intrusion in the area, the official further says the construction of a road would make the pathway easier for them, leading to other serious consequences. An official from the town panchayat department feels that the delay in the construction of a steel bridge is due to certain changes in the initial project. 'As per the recommendations made by the Forest Department, the construction of the steel bridge will commence shortly.'
Time of India
03-06-2025
- Time of India
Tourists lament lack of facilities at Kovai Kurtrallam
Coimbatore: Tourists visiting Kovai Kurtallam waterfalls in the in the Boluvampatti forest range lament that the tourist spot lacks facilities such as toilet and dress changing rooms. Every year, more than three lakh people visit the waterfalls. It recorded footfall of more than 50,000 in the last two months. M Deepa, a homemaker from Race Course in Coimbatore city, often visited Kovai Kurtallam with her family members. She said it was a wonderful place to enjoy nature. However, the waterfalls and the surrounding areas are not maintained. "There are no proper rooms for changing clothes near the waterfalls. Currently, women are using a room without a roof for changing clothes, but it is not safe. During the weekends, more than 3,000 people visit the waterfalls, but no toilet facilities have been created. The forest department should create toilet facilities and rooms for changing clothes immediately," said Deepa. "There is not a single waste bin in and around the waterfalls," she said. M Thangaraj, a tourist from Coimbatore city, said thousands of people line up to board vehicles at Chadivayal check post area to reach Kovai Kurtallam during weekends. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo "The forest department should operate more vehicles to cater to the weekend rush. Otherwise, people are forced to wait for more than 30 minutes to reach Kovai Kurtallam," Thangaraj said. N Jayaraj, district forest officer, Coimbatore forest division, said owing to the summer vacation, people from across Coimbatore district and neighbouring districts visited the waterfalls in the last two months. "As per our estimation, more than 50,000 people, including children, visited the waterfalls. Around three lakh people visit the waterfalls every year," Jayaraj said. The forest department has sent a proposal to the state govt to develop the infrastructure at Kovai Kurtallam at a cost of Rs 85 lakh. He said the forest department has decided to create all the facilities at Kovai Kurtallam areas and plans to restore the canopy walk area, tree houses, and guest houses. "We have sent a revised proposal to the govt under the special area development programme (SADP) to get an amount of Rs 85 lakh to implement various developments at Chadivayal and Kovai Kurtallam. We are planning to renovate two treetop houses and two more villas at Chadivayal. The children's play area will be upgraded to the parking lot area. We are going to restore the canopy walk for children in the reserve forest," Jayaraj said. He added that the forest department will create toilet facilities and rooms for changing clothes near the Kovai Kurtallam waterfalls.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- New Indian Express
AIADMK MLA stages protest over poor condition of Gudalur bus stand; authorities promise repairs in 15 days
"I have already requested the district collector and additional collector to take steps to lay paver blocks within the bus stand by allotting Rs 50 lakhs. I have been asking top officials in the last two-and-a-half years to carry out the work under the Special Area Development Programme (SADP). However, nothing has materialised. This has caused huge embarrassment to me, forcing me to stage a protest seeking the government's attention," said Jayaseelan. "So far the passengers were forced to walk through full of potholes. Now the rainy season has worsened the condition. The Gudalur bus stand is at the trijunction of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka, and hundreds of passengers as well as tourists use the bus stand daily. It is the duty of the officials to provide basic facilities for the passengers," said Jayaseelan. After the protest, revenue officials and top police officials held talks with the MLA. He was told the work for the laying of paver blocks was given to a contractor and it will be completed within the next 15 days. However, Gudalur MLA asked the contractor to take one month's time and complete the works ensuring quality. The protest was then called off.
