Citizens press MLA for better amenities

Citizens of Kulithalai joining hands under the classical literary name of the town, Kulir Thandalai, pressed their MLA A..Pappa Sundaram to shore up the image of the town that lies between Karur and Tiruchi on the banks of River Cauvery by adding public facilities and improving civic amenities.

At Saturday's meeting of the Kulir Thandalai Nagara Valarachi Sangam here, members urged the MLA to clear Cauvery of wild growth–ipomea and neyveli kattamanakku– that were polluting the river especially near the Kadambar Koil bathing ghat. The vegetation along the river banks hinder devotees and public from having a healthy bath, they pointed out.

The forum also demanded the MLA to take immediate steps to desilt the water body, widen its length to 20 metres, and strengthen the bunds of the Kulithalai Kaattu Vaari from K.Pudupatti Siphon to Nangam Dam to prevent flooding during monsoon. There are about eight channels crisscrossing the town but they have degenerated from being a source of irrigation to hundreds of acres of land to cradle for communicable diseases . Though the PWD had handed over the channels to the Kulithalai Municipality nothing has been done to clear the mess and prevent spread of diseases or stop the breeding of mosquitoes.

The public requested the MLA to clear the channels and establish a sewerage treatment facility. The forum demanded that a new bus stand be established to suit the requirements of the town at an appropriate place with all facilities and the old, dingy ``deluxe bus'' operating between Kulithalai and Chennai be replaced with a new one to ensure smooth ride. One more bus service to Chennai was also demanded.

The people urged the former Minister direct the Transport Department officials to rein in the errant mini bus crews for they often skip important locations and head straight to the bus stand. The public wanted the mini buses to touch Periyar Nagar, Periya Palam, Railway Station, Library, Cauvery Nagar, Anna Nagar, Government Hospital, Sunga Gate before reaching the neighbouring Musiri Bus Stand across Cauvery.

Replying to their demands, Mr.Pappa Sundaram said that public utilities and facilities in the town would be improved. Sangam president Rasi Mamundia Pillai, secretary P.Ramanatha Pillai, vice-presidents A.V.Gopaladesikan and Gramium Narayanan were present.