Tribal Community in Marayur Awaits Promised Motorable Road Despite Official Approval

Quick Summary

• Karimutty, a tribal settlement in Marayur, Idukki, Kerala, lacks proper road connectivity despite being only 350 meters from the Munnar-Udumalpet National Highway.
• The area is home to 20 Hill Pulaya families who have lived there for over 100 years. A dirt road connects them to the NH but remains inadequate.
• Disputes over land ownership delayed improvements; local claims that the road passes through private property where contradicted by government findings proving it is public land.
• efforts for motorable road construction were initiated after intervention by Devikulam Subcollector and State SC/ST Commission,but progress stalled due to lack of coordination between government departments.
• Tribespeople face severe challenges during medical emergencies and daily activities: a woman once gave birth en route to the hospital on an unmotorable stretch of the road.
• Currently, the cleared path is walkable but not motorable; further action requires official handover of land from Revenue Department to Panchayat for construction responsibilities.
• District Collector V. Vigneshwari has assured further inquiry into resolving this long-standing issue.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The situation in Karimutty highlights systemic inefficiencies affecting India’s tribal communities despite legal mandates for their welfare and development. The persistence shown by Ms. Vanitha underscores grassroots activism as crucial in ensuring access to basic infrastructure like roads-essential for healthcare, education, and livelihood support.

The delay caused by inter-departmental inertia illustrates how overlapping jurisdictional concerns frequently enough hinder timely implementation of development projects intended for marginalized groups like Hill Pulaya families who lack alternative avenues or resources.

Moving forward, ensuring quicker resolution mechanisms under authorities such as SC/ST Commissions may be pivotal not just in addressing local issues but also reinforcing governmental accountability toward historically disadvantaged demographics across India.

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