The Marungapuri Panchayat Union has planned to construct a minor bridge across the Paalar at the foot of the Nedumalai Hills on the borders of Tiruchi - Dindigul districts.
Villagers of Thethoor and Malaiyandikovilpatti require this facility since the river runs at the middle of these two villages.
A panchayat union elementary school and an anganwadi are located at Malaiyandikovilpatti on the other side of the river and obviously villagers of Thethoor, with a population of 1,500, have to cross the river for their daily routine covering a distance of three km.
As the river is bone dry now, residents can cross it without any difficulty. But, during floods or monsoon, the villages are cut off till the waters recede.
During such crisis, villagers Thethoor have to take a detour through Usilampatti and Kalathupatti to reach Malayandikudipatti covering an additional distance of five km.
According to official sources, the Marungapuri union has sought Rs. 1.50 crore under the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The plan includes approach road for the bridge on both sides of the river for a total length of two km and the bridge for a length of about 25 metres. It will have three spans of diameter of six metres each.
The administrative sanction has been accorded by the Rural Development Department and the proposal has been under process for technical sanction.
The work would be taken up after fund was sanctioned, sources said.
