Residents petition collector demanding basic amenities in Tiruchirapalli

N. Muthulingam, one of the residents pointed out that the waterlines were in disuse and needed immediate attention.

Poor sanitation facilities in Thendral Nagar, at Nagamangalam near Tiruchi. Photo: R.M. Rajarathinam

A group of men and women from Thendral Nagar in Alundhoor panchayat have urged the district administration to take steps to provide basic amenities in their village, particularly public toilets and drinking water facilities.

For the past 15 years, their complaints with panchayat officials have fallen on deaf ears. Now, they decided to draw the attention of the district administration on Monday and submitted a petition. “We have come to submit the petition on a day’s leave,” said one of the villagers, a private company employee.

N. Muthulingam, one of the residents pointed out that the waterlines were in disuse and needed immediate attention. The supply of the potable water under the combined drinking water supply scheme was erratic.

With the lone hand pump in the village dysfunctional due to depletion of groundwater, the villagers relied on the mercy of the adjoining Kunnathur village falling in Pudukottai district to fetch water, says C. Sankarpandi, a graduate. Many women complained that the overhead tank was yet to be put to use, indicating the poor supply of potable water.

Fifty-two-year-old Sappani says open defecation has become a serious health hazard in the village.

V.Maragatham and A. Dharamaraj, both residents of the village, questioned the purpose of awareness programme being launched by the Central and State governments, without providing adequate amenities in villages.