Tribal residents of Chinnala Kombai in the Nilgiris continue to wait for road facility

Residents of Chinnala Kombai near Pilloor Mattam in the Nilgiris demand that a road be constructed to their village.
| Photo Credit: File photo

In spite of having made numerous appeals to the government for a road to be laid to their village, the residents of Chinnala Kombai near Pilloor Mattam are still forced to make a dangerous 2-km-long walk to the nearest stretch of motorable road to get access to basic amenities.

The tribal residents of the village, said to number around 50, had threatened to boycott the general elections earlier this year if a road was not sanctioned to the village. However, after their threats, they said that the government promised to sanction the road but then failed to follow through on their promise.

S. Chandran, a resident of the village, said that a small section of a pathway leading to their village, measuring around 200 meters was cleared, and then the work was stopped. “Not even a motorcycle can use the pathway,” said Mr. Chandran, adding that residents have to walk 2 km either way to reach the closest stretch of motorable road between Pilloor Mattam and Anaipallam. He said that the residents have been demanding a road to their village for more than 10 years, but to no avail.

“This means that even elderly people and those living with medical conditions have to walk 4 km cumulatively if they want to access even basic amenities, including the ration shop or healthcare,” said Mr. Chandran.

The village headman, Mallan, appealed to the government to fulfil their promise of laying a road to the village. He said that residents are not even able to repair their highly dilapidated houses as they are unable to transport building materials to their village. “Especially during the monsoon season, heavy rain threaten the stability of the houses, which are in urgent need of repair. Only if there is a road to the village can these buildings be reinforced and made safe for residents,” he said.