Proposed railway line, the only hope for Vilathikulam

Problems of water scarcity and poor road infrastructure loom large

Vilathikulam constituency has a mix of farmers and fishermen. According to locals, the town derives its name from two trees (Vila and Aththi) located in the pond (kulam) of Meenakshi temple. Sustained neglect has made it the most backward region in Thoothukudi district.

Fourteen candidates, including that of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, Tamil Maanila Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, are in the fray for the May 16 Assembly election.

Though Vilathikulam is considered a stronghold of the AIADMK, which won seven of the 12 elections, it’s a case of wait-and-see this time.

This constituency is bogged down by problems of water scarcity, poor road infrastructure and lack of adequate facilities for farmers and fishermen.

Drinking water scarcity looms large. There are around 300 villages, but most of them do not have proper access to water. Though the Vaippar flows in the constituency, it is ravaged by rampant illegal sand mining.

Agriculture is the major occupation of people and they depend solely on rain-fed cultivation as there is no alternative water resource. Chilli is the chief crop and farmers also rely on pulses, onion and coriander. However, they are saddened by lack of facilities to store their produce. Though cold storage facilities were made available at Vilathikulam and Pudur after persistent demands from farmers, they are not functional, Sithavan, a farmer says. Waterbodies and channels remain silted for long.

This constituency also has a sizable population of fisherfolk, for whom a long-pending demand for construction of groynes to safeguard their boats from turbulent weather remains unfulfilled. Added to this is the need for seafood auction halls at Keela Vaippar and Sippikulam. At Vembar, a coastal hamlet, there is little progress in construction of groynes.

More importantly, roads are in an appalling condition all over the constituency. Because of high movement of sand-laden trucks, the condition of roads has worsened.

The constituency is deprived of a proper healthcare system and the Government Hospital at Vilathikulam is just a namesake facility. Patients are referred either to Kovilpatti or Thoothukudi for treatment.

Employment opportunities have almost come to a trickle owing to absence of industries.

However, expectations are high among people who are looking forward to completion of the new railway line linking Madurai and Thoothukudi via Vilathikulam, Pudur, Pandalkudi and Aruppukottai.

The much awaited rail route could bring more developments to this backward region, it is hoped.