23-06-2025
AIAWU urges resumption of regular bus service to Oorakonam in Thovalai taluk
The All India Agricultural Workers Union (AIAWU) submitted a petition at the Collectorate in Nagercoil on Monday, urging the resumption of regular bus service to Oorakonam in Thovalai taluk. The lack of service has forced the students and public to walk at least 3 km to reach the nearest bus stop.
The petition was submitted during the weekly grievance redressal meeting chaired by Kanniyakumari Collector R. Alagumeena.
According to the petition, the bus service on route number 4R from Anna Bus stand in Nagercoil was suspended during COVID-19 pandemic and was later reduced to a service in the morning time. As a result, students and residents who regularly depend on this service for daily commuting are facing severe hardships. It also urged for the mini bus facility for Gnanadasapuram tenements and Anna colony area as the residents are struggling with poor road condition and lack of accessible transportation.
N.S. Kannan, president of Kanniyakumari unit of AIAWU, said that due to the suspension of regular service, the residents of Oorakonam are suffering and at present they are forced to walk around 3 km to the nearest bus stop in Arumanallur. He pointed out that the village is home to around 500 families and despite recurrent petitions from the residents, no action has been taken so far.
He added that the students who miss the lone morning bus are compelled to walk to Arumanallur to catch the next available bus, making them exhausted even before reaching school. Mr. Kannan further noted that since most of the residents are daily wage workers, public transportation is vital for them to commute.
He suggested that the buses currently operating to Surulacode could be rerouted through Oorakonam, as Arumanallur already has adequate number of buses.
