5 days ago
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.'
