Tribal hamlet in Coimbatore to get road connectivity at ₹1.62 crore: Minister

Tamil Nadu Minister for Rural Development I. Periyasamy told the State Assembly on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) that measures were underway to provide road connectivity to Kadamban Kombai, a tribal hamlet located deep inside the forest, in Nellithurai panchayat, Coimbatore district, at a cost of ₹1.62 crore.

Tamil Nadu Minister for Rural Development I. Periyasamy told the State Assembly on Tuesday (April 8, 2025) that measures were underway to provide road connectivity to Kadamban Kombai, a tribal hamlet located deep inside the forest, in Nellithurai panchayat, Coimbatore district, at a cost of ₹1.62 crore.

The Minister was responding to AIADMK MLA A.K. Selvaraj, who moved a calling attention motion seeking road connectivity to the hamlet, where 24 tribal families reside in the forest area. Mr. Selvaraj said the new road sanctioned by the State government was only two metres wide. He pointed out the difficulties in navigating the terrain when lorries carrying heavy loads and ambulances need to pass through the stretch. He also demanded that the State government consider laying a road connecting Nellithurai with Mettupalayam for the benefit of villagers from 28 tribal hamlets.

In his response, Mr. Periyasamy said that under the Mudalvarin Grama Salaigal Membattu Thittam (MGSMT)-2024-25, a total of ₹1.62 crore has been sanctioned for providing road connectivity to Kadamban Kombai. The District Forest Officer has cleared the project, and tenders have been floated. He also said the Rural Development department is working with the Forest department to lay new roads in the interior areas of Jawadhu and Kalvarayan hills.

Separately, PMK MLA C. Sivakumar moved a calling attention motion on the need to expedite the construction of a high-level bridge near Mundiyampakkam on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway.

In his response, Minister for Public Works, Highways, and Minor Ports E.V. Velu said the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway (NH 45) is under the maintenance of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Two black spots were identified near Mundiyampakkam and Orathur Cut Road. The NHAI is executing a project to establish a vehicular underpass (VUP) and light vehicular underpass (LVUP) at a cost of ₹41.53 crore. Currently, service roads are being constructed. The NHAI will take steps to expedite the project, he added.