Poor roads, no transport force tribal children to drop out in Coimbatore

Twin Irula tribal settlements, Muruganpathi and Ayyanpathi, in Coimbatore's Madukkarai Block lack basic roads and public transport, forcing many children to drop out of school. A dried-up stream and incomplete road block vehicle access, and public buses do not enter the hamlets. After Class V, students must walk 3-5 km to reach middle and high schools. Parents say they spend entire wages on auto rickshaws or rely on two-wheelers, many children have left school for agricultural labour.

A Rs 4.7 crore road project prepared by the Highways Department in 2021 was dropped citing low population, panchayat sources told New Indian Express. Residents demand a direct road linking Muruganpathi to Mavuthampathi and the Salem-Kochi National Highway. During Minister K Vignesh's visit in July, villagers submitted demands for road connectivity and a bus service, the minister assured temporary measures. A four-wheeler under 'Mahalir Thittam' has been provided for emergencies.

Villagers also face risks from wild elephants while walking. They allege ambulances cannot reach during emergencies, and the situation worsens in rains. A senior official from the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department said the issues would be looked into and steps taken to resolve them at the earliest.