Two Dalit habitations – Kakkanpudur and Kattetri – situated 3 km from Parakkai panchayat in Rajakkamangalam Panchayat Union in Kanyakumari district were denied town bus facility for over three months, lamented the residents. Thanks to a big hole that has formed in a small culvert on the way to Kakkanpudur from Parakkai village three months ago.
Repeated pleas fell on the deaf ears of the officials, the residents said.
Due to this, the town bus operated by TNSTC on route 50 from Nagercoil to Kattetri was stopped for over three months forcing the students, officegoers to walk up to three km to catch a town bus to reach Nagercoil and other destinations. Over 300 dalit families residing in Kakkanpudur and Kattetri were depending on this bus service, as they have no other option of travel.
The bus was operated on three return singles daily in the morning, afternoon and evening to cater to the needs of school going children, office goers and the general public.
A road for a length of one km from Parakkai junction to Kakkanpudur was laid under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) at a cost of Rs. 69.96 in 2014. A hole had developed on the culvert near the Valikoli Amman temple and was left unattended by the officials, said a social activist.
Farmers were unable to take their agriculture engineering equipment on this route. If the authorities set right the damage, buses can plied via Parakkai village, and it will benefit the students, he added.
S. Sundar, President, Parakkai Panchayat could not be contacted for his comment.
Published - August 16, 2015 12:00 am IST
