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The Hindu
07-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Bridge construction linking Tirumarugal and Kilvelur gains momentum
The construction of a ₹12-crore bridge connecting Nagapattinam and Kilvelur taluks has picked up pace, with nearly 70% of the work completed. Once finished, the bridge will serve as a vital link between several interior villages on both sides of the Vettar, easing travel and improving access for thousands of residents. The bridge connects villages such as Anaimanagalam and Kohur on the Kilvelur side with Okkur and Venagadangal on the Tirumarugal side. Until now, commuters had to take a detour of about 8 km to reach the other side of the river. With the new bridge, travel time will be significantly reduced, and essential services such as ambulances and transportation of agricultural goods will be streamlined. 'This was one of my key demands under the Ungal Thoguthiyil Mudhalvar initiative, and the State government responded positively,' said Kilvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Maali. He told The Hindu that the bridge would establish a long-awaited direct connection between Kilvelur and Nagapattinam taluks. 'This was a demand voiced by the interior villages for decades, and it is finally being fulfilled,' he said. 'Our Okkur village is almost like an island. Though the other side was nearby, the canal made it impossible to connect with Tirumarugal. In my childhood, we had to swim across. Pregnant women, the elderly, and even ambulances faced enormous challenges in reaching hospitals,' said L. Rajendran, a resident of Okkur Panchayat. Sources said the bridge work were expected to get completed in six months.
The Hindu
29-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Madurai Corporation calls for CSR funds for better upkeep of crematorium
'If cleanliness is measured by the upkeep of crematoriums in a city, Madurai probably may stand first from the bottom of the score board,' according to environmental activists. Thathaneri is a classic example of how a crematorium should not be maintained. The entire place is not only unhygienic, but also reflects the lackadaisical attitude of the authorities. 'Should the place not be kept clean for the visitors bidding a farewell to their dear ones,' asks V.P. Manikandan, an activist. Though there is huge space, it is not put to use as it should be, and there are seemai karuvelam trees, which are a breeding ground for all kinds of anti-social activities. During rainy season, the trees are home for pigs and stray dogs. There are also allegations of narcotic substances being sold in the crematorium, he adds. The best (read worst) part is that sewer enters the crematorium, and the air, which is already unhealthy, turns more unhygienic. The pungent smell discourages visitors to stay there for even 30 minutes, while remains a haven for the anti-socials. Drunken brawls are a common affair inside the area and youngsters (children in the vicinity) are exposed to it, Malaisamy, a resident of Aruldosspuram, near here, said. Though the Corporation staff at Thathaneri crematorium say there is an over head tank, which provides water for bathing purposes to people performing the last rites, not many use it. Asked about it, a user shares his experience and says the water was green in colour. There were no mugs and the space was too soiled. As per the suggestion of some workers, a private bathing space opposite the crematorium available on payment was used, he adds. Additional sheds required While there are different sheds to cremate the bodies at Thathaneri, not many of the roofs are in proper shape. A month ago, after heavy rainfall in the evening, the roof almost collapsed giving tense moments to relatives who were waiting for the rituals to get completed, says Kumaran, a tender coconut vendor in Thathaneri. The CSR funds from private industry can be utilised for improving the infrastructure. Through the Tamil Nadu government's Namakku Naame scheme, outfits can contribute and provide facilities. Also, the public-private partnership (PPP model) may be explored by responsible citizens and voluntary organisations. The facility at Keerathurai, which is managed by Rotary Club, has ample space for parking two and four-wheelers. The crematorium is clean and a notice board displays the amount to be remitted for cremation. There is instrumental music, which is comforting to visitors, Rotarians say. Isha Foundation has been helping in a big way in Coimbatore for performing the last rites. The crematorium is well-maintained and does not look like one as there is so much greenary, a Madurai-based activist Ravikumar, who recently visited the facility, says . Similarly, service organisations in Madurai can pitch in to maintain the Thathaneri crematorium in an orderly manner. New crematorium Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry supported the construction of a new crematorium near Mattuthavani, which is now the most sought after to conduct the last rites. The facility is clean in many aspects. Donors have raised a small and beautiful green patch inside. Apart from five workers employed in the crematorium on a contract basis, there is an administrator responsible for overall upkeep of the facility, according to Chamber president N. Jagatheesan. Expressing satisfaction, a worker, however, says they would be happy if they are insured by the sponsors. 'We handle different types of bodies, including infected ones, being brought here for performing the last rites and we run a health risk,' he points out. With ₹13,500 as salary, paying premium for health cover would not be possible, he adds. There are a few more crematoriums functioning in Keerathurai and Thiruparankundram, but the city should have one or two on the outskirts as it can be used by the public living on the peripheries of Madurai city. When contacted, Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan said the civic body would welcome an active role from private players in the upkeep of the crematoriums. With funds under corporate social responsibility (CSR), much more could be done for the crematoriums and efficient management by both the civic authorities and the private institutions would benefit the public. Inspection Recently, the Commissioner inspected the Thathaneri crematorium and took stock of the requirements. According to officials, the Commissioner instructed the Health department to visit all crematoriums at periodic intervals. From the Sanitary Inspector (SI) to the City Health Officer (CHO), they should conduct inspections and present reports about the requirements. Instead of visiting them only when there were issues raised by the public, the officials should maintain surveillance and keep the place clean. CCTV cameras Installing CCTV cameras and more lights would discourage the anti-socials from assembling in the crematorium at odd hours. Though there is police patrolling, an outpost at Thathaneri crematorium would help prevent crimes. A fortnight ago, a clash erupted between locals and a group of people, who had come there to perform last rites. Uneasy moments prevailed inside for a long time. The presence of police personnel would instantly silence the noise makers and also prevent untoward incidents, locals said. During rainy days, the number of bodies cremated are on the higher side at Thathaneri alone. On an average, 20 to 25 bodies are brought here and around 500 to 1,000 people stayed from morning till late evening. Theft of vehicles (two-wheelers) are also reported, but due to the absence of CCTV cameras, there is delay in tracing the bike lifters. Madurai City Police have said that all police stations that have crematoriums falling under their jurisidiction have been instructed to patrol them every two hours daily to ensure that there are no untoward incidents. Bodies, especially that are accompanied by huge crowds are watched. However, there seems to be a lot of grievances against the authorities. Recently, a police officer said he caught a habitual offender hiding in Thathaneri crematorium in a special operation as he was wanted in several crimes including a NBW (non bailable warrant) case. The activists also want the custodians of law to book cases against people bursting crackers and hurling garlands en route to the crematoriums.
The Hindu
27-06-2025
- The Hindu
Viral social media post attracts scores of tourists to Koomapatti
After a video clipping on serene surroundings of Koomapatti and Pilavakkal dam along Western Ghats by a youth went viral, tourists from far and near have started to flock the region in search of scenic tourist spot. However, they were only disappointed as they were not allowed by the officials of the Forest Department and Water Resources Department into the park along Pilavakkal Periyar dam. 'The park has remained out of bounds for people for several months after few youths died due to drowning in the dam,' said K. Balakumar, 43, of Koomapatti. He said that the region on the foothills of Western Ghats have good potential for tourism exploitation with green mountains, salabrious water flow, a sweet water 'sunai' and a huge water spread area of the Pilavakkal dam. But, since these areas, as shown in the video clipping, fall under Reserve Forest area, outsiders are not allowed by the Forest Department officials. He also revealed that the picturesque view of the mountainous area and the clear water spread area could be reached only through stealth trekking for few kilometres. 'If Forest officials come up with some eco tourism programme, it will be a big hit among nature lovers,' he added. Even the park has been closed as wild animals like elephant, wild boars, deer, fox frequently roam around,' he added. Koomapatti which falls under S. Kodikulam Town panchayat has sprawling areas of paddy fields and a score of waterbodies that would give a typical rural setting and major attraction for tourists. Out-going Virudhunagar Collector V.P. Jeyaseelan, who visited Koomapatti area on Thursday, in his social media post, said that nature was at its best in the region and was suitable for development of rural tourism.
The Hindu
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
Nearly ₹50-crore worth bank linkage support extended to 608 women SHGs in Nagapattinam
As part of a State-level initiative to strengthen women self-help groups (SHGs) through financial inclusion, a total of ₹49.93 crore in bank linkage support and welfare assistance was distributed to 608 SHGs here on Tuesday. The event took place at the auditorium of the Government Medical College in Orathur and was presided over by Collector P. Akash, and Kizhvelur MLA V.P. Nagai Mali. In Nagapattinam, rural SHGs received ₹38.28 crore benefiting 417 beneficiaries. Additionally, ₹0.56 crore was distributed to 47 rural women entrepreneurs, and ₹10.09 crore was allocated to 90 urban SHGs. Furthermore, ₹0.19 crore was provided to 45 beneficiaries under the District Commercial Complex Scheme, and ₹0.81 crore to 9 beneficiaries under the Vazhnthu Kattuvom project. The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women has been facilitating such initiatives to enhance the financial participation of women in SHGs and promote timely, low-interest bank loans to meet their economic and livelihood needs. Among those present were R. Sarojini, Dean of the Government Medical College and Hospital, K. Divyaprabha, District Social Welfare Officer,S. Chitra, Project Director (Magalir Thittam), SHG members, and members of the public.
The Hindu
31-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Plea to enact law preventing purchase of tribal land by others
The Tamil Nadu Tribal People's Association has urged the State government to enact a law preventing outsiders from purchasing land owned by tribal people. In a letter to the District Collector, association president V.P. Gunasekaran highlighted that indigenous tribal communities in the hilly regions of Erode district have been engaged in agriculture and have resided there for generations. However, there is a concerning trend of these communities becoming landless, which poses a significant threat to the stability and well-being of the hill regions. Citing the Constitution, which places the responsibility on State governments to protect the livelihood and land rights of tribal communities, the association requested that the Collector recommend to the State Government the introduction of a law—similar to those in other states—that bans the sale of tribal lands to outsiders, retrieves lands that have already been transferred, and reallocates them to tribal communities.
