Proposal for road to Alakattu village in Dharmapuri rejected by the Union government, says District Collector K. Shanthi

The death of a 14-year-old girl in a hill hamlet in Pennagaram taluk by snake bite, and the presumption that the girl could have been saved with timely medical help had there been a motorable road to the village has caused the district administration to address the issue.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin conveyed his condolences to the family and also ordered release of ₹3 lakh to the parents of the deceased girl, Kasthuri.

On Thursday, Kasthuri succumbed to snake bite after she was brought down a dirt track cradled in a woollen blanket trussed up a pole, after a 1.5 hour trek on foot by the family members. The video that went viral highlighted the lack of motorable roads for remote hill hamlets, a few falling within Forest Department’s control, hindering access to timely medical help and access to schools.

District Collector K. Shanthi distributing the Chief Minister’s relief, also addressed the reasons for the absence of a motorable road to the village.

According to the district administration, the proposal for an all-weather road up to Alakattu village was rejected by the Union government on the grounds that there were less than 100 inhabitants in Alakattu village. The villages of Erimalai and Alakattu, both hill hamlets in Vattuvanahalli panchayat had approach tracks running through the Forest Department-controlled area, spanning a length of nine kms.

Earlier this year, a proposal for a road from Seengadu to Alakattu was placed in the Parvesh Portal for the Forest Department’s sanction. Following this, an official representing the Union government had inspected the area.

An inspection report recommended laying of an all-weather road of 7.50 mtrs width for 4.50 km from Seengadu to Erimalai; but for the remaining stretch from Erimalai to Alakattu village, a three-metre wide road was recommended. This was because Alakattu village had a population of less than 100 people, according to the inspection report.

However, a three-metre wide road would not be enough for the movement of vehicles, including buses. Therefore, the district administration has once again submitted the demand for an all-weather road along the entire nine km stretch up to Alakattu village on Parvesh Portal. The submission is being followed up by the administration, according to the Collector.

Published - November 29, 2024 09:18 pm IST