Its a rocky journey for children from Kallakkuttykudy to reach their school
The original bridge over the Nallathanni river, their only safe passage, was swept away in the devastating floods of August 2018 and has not been reconstructed till now.
Sino Mathew, their teacher at the Chikkanamkudy Government Lower Primary School, says that the only way for the six students, who are in classes ranging from I to IV, to reach the school is via the bamboo bridge. 'During summers, a vehicle part of the Vidyavahini project reaches the settlement to take the students to the school. However, during the rainy season, the tribespeople have to construct a temporary bamboo bridge for the students to cross the river, with the vehicle waiting on the other side,' says Mr. Mathew.
Twenty families
Guruswami, a resident of the Kallakkuttykudy tribal settlement, says that 20 Muthuvan community tribal families are living here. 'The settlement is in between the Pettimudy river and the Nallathanni river. The bridge was the only way to connect to the outside world. After its collapse, the tribespeople cross the river during the summer. However, due to the strong undercurrents in the rainy season, we cannot cross the river and are forced to construct a bamboo bridge,' he says.
Mr. Guruswami says that the residents are struggling to reach hospitals as it is hard for the sick to use the makeshift bridge. 'We have been constantly making demands for a new bridge in the area, but our requests have not been heard till now,' he adds.
Opposed construction
Dean Kuriakose, Idukki MP, says that he had allotted ₹20 lakh from his rural development fund to build the bridge. 'However, the Devikulam block panchayat, which is the implementing agency of the project, opposed the construction,' he says.
Adivasi Muthuvan Samudhaya Sangam president M. Palraj says that the tribespeople will stage a protest in front of the Devikulam panchayat office on June 18 against the block panchayat's opposition to the bridge construction. 'We have submitted several pleas regarding the construction of the bridge. However, the authorities have failed to take any action,' he says.
The Devikulam block panchayat authorities have not responded to The Hindu's queries so far.
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