District Collector P. Umanath said that land survey works have been completed, estimates have been prepared and financial sanction is expected soon for laying a direct road between Coimbatore and Gopanari.
Dr. Umanath was speaking at a grievances redress meeting held at Gopanari in Tholamapalayam Panchayat.
He said that focus would be on providing basic amenities to the people living in Gopanari. Nearly 60 per cent of the population is Adi-dravidar and tribals. He said that steps would be taken to repair the approach road to Karamadai to Anaikatti.
Kerala side
The road is narrow and buses could not be operated. Coimbatore – Gopanari Road via Anaikatti at present passes through a stretch of road in Kerala.
For laying a direct road, Coimbatore Institute of Technology has prepared a plan for which Government has been approached for a financial sanction of Rs. 1.15 lakhs.
Bridges
Being a Ghat section, there is a need to construct bridges since there could be landslips during rainy season. The new road alignment involved private lands and the owners had come forward to give the land.He said efforts would be taken to provide community certificates to tribals. To contain man-animal conflict, Trenches would be dug and solar fences would be erected in the area. He said that steps would be taken to provide search lights.
Students living in this area would get free bus pass from the coming academic year. He asked tribal women to make use of the office of the Mahalir Thittam to get loans and start self-help groups. He gave away welfare assistance to a tune of Rs. 11.73 lakhs to 72 beneficiaries.
