Tirunelveli Reader’s Mail

Improve water-holding capacity of dams, repair handrails, rebuild bridges, and fix road stretch in Tamil Nadu.

Water-holding capacity of dams

Mukkadal dam is the main source of drinking water for the people of Nagercoil. It is a scenic area surrounded by mountains on three sides and is a natural earthen dam constructed using clay and granite stones. Now, the water level is less than two feet, against its total permissible level of 25 feet, despite heavy rains in Kanniyakumari district. Many lakes and irrigation tanks, essential for groundwater recharging, are also drying up. Semmankulam lake has also been converted into a dumping yard filled with sewage water. The water-holding capacity can be improved only by removing the garbage and letting the excess water through the various canals. The PWD officials and the district authorities are requested to maintain the flow of water into the reservoirs by appointing young and energetic people to trek the hills and remove the obstructions if any, en route, so that we may not suffer for drinking water in the future.

G. Stanley Jeyasingh

Nagercoil

Protruding handrail

Recently I was travelling in a government town bus (Bus Number TN 72 N 1526) in Palayamkottai. I was shocked to see the handrail near the rear exit was not properly fitted and was protruding directly towards the face of the standing passengers which may cause severe face injuries. Ironically there were many school students travelling in the bus at that time. I request the transport authorities to repair the handrail as early as possible so that serious accidents may be avoided. Moreover, many students studying in Palayamkottai schools are from nearby villages and they solely rely on the government buses to reach home. Too many students chasing a few government buses at Palayamkottai bus stand has become a common scene. As a result, boys and even girls reach home by footboard travel. I request the transport authorities to ply more buses so that students reach home safely.

S. Rajkumar Immanuel,