Tirunelveli Reader’s Mail for December 9, 2024

Buildings constructed atop and on the foothills of the split hill of Reddiyarpatti in Tirunelveli district.
| Photo Credit: HANDOUT

Buildings on hill 

While travelling from Tirunelveli to Kanniyakumari, we crossed the split hill of Reddiyarpatti which happens to be a selfie point. Now there are barricades on the sides of the road to keep people away as now and then small rocks fall from atop the hill. But, surprisingly,  a museum has been built on top of the hill and housing board apartments have also been built on the foothills. The landslides at Tiruvannamalai and Wayanad  caused devastation to lives and properties. Buildings on the hill and foothills were found to be the reason for such calamities when there is heavy downpour. So, one wonders how permission was granted for such constructions on Reddiyarpatti hills.

Rajakumar Arulanandham 

Palayamkottai.

Close pit

There is a long pilot along the Primary Health  Centre at Kottaram on the Nagercoil – Kanniyakumari  highway. As this pit leads to accidents, I request the highway authorities to close the pit. 

C. Ramdhas,

Santhaiady

Dog Menace

While returning home from Chothavilai beach recently, my daughter and I were waylaid by a pack of country dogs at Osaravilai. Our scooter was surrounded by the dogs which continuously barked and pounced on us. At long last, a kind woman came to our rescue and drove away the canines. As this locality falls under the jurisdiction of Puthalam panchayat, I request the authorities concerned to take immediate steps to put an end to this menace.

S. Subha,

Kottaram 

Make the contest all-inclusive

The Tamil Nadu government has been honouring school and college students with a purse of ₹15,000 if they have memorised all the 1,330 couplets of Thirukkural. Of late, the authorities concerned have excluded college students. I request that  the scheme be extended not only to students of all educational institutions but also to all aspiring people irrespective of age and educational qualification. Let our universal poet Thiruvalluvar live in the hearts of all.

C. Sundaralingam,

Thengamputhoor

Take stern action

Much to the annoyance of people, flex boards have sprung up all  over Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai. They are erected not only by political parties but also by the public for ceremonies like weddings and other functions. Already many mishaps have occurred because of the flex boards. Recently there was an announcement from the ruling party that no flex boards  and other banners should be kept at the venue of functions. It is  a welcome move. The Tirunelveli  corporation should take stringent action against those who put up flex boards  and remove  them then and there for the safety of the public.

H.Syed Othuman,

Tirunelveli 

Collect data

The recent cyclonic storm has brought untold miseries and unprecedented flooding. There is less of land space to absorb the rainwater as either it is blacktopped or concreted causing water accumulation. Flow from jungle streams adds to the misery.  From the last two monsoons, we inferred that flooding occurs after rain has stopped due to the flanking of lake and tank bunds. In such a scenario, weather forecasters, the bureaucrats and the NDRF cannot be blamed for any shortcomings.  Data collection from the 2022 monsoon to the present should be done and based on it, the bunds should be raised. Fire stations in district headquarters should be upgraded to the standards of NDRF. 

J. Edison Devakaram,

Thoothukudi.

Put an end to stray cattle menace

A stray cow fell into a well in Jeyalani Colony on Palayamkottai Road in Thoothukudi. Fire brigade rescued it. Stray cattle also pose danger to road users. The authorities concerned must put an end to stray cattle menace. 

S. Prabhakar,

Thoothukudi

Restore tank

The condition of Nambiankulam in Thazhakudy in Kanniyakumari district is pathetic. The tank is under the clutches of encroachments and has become a dump for garbage. The remaining area of the tank is blanketed by bushes and water plants.The southern part of the tank separated by a lane is dangerous and poses threat to students and children of the nearby schools. There is every possibility of poisonous creatures entering into the toilet blocks which are on the bank of the tank. Preventive measures must be taken before any untoward incident happens, and restore the tank to its past pristine state. 

B. Nagalingam, 

Thazhakudy

Good judgement 

The judgement of the Madras High Court, restoring Manjolai estate into a pristine forest, is heartening. Preserving its fauna and flora is the significant part of the verdict. Western Ghats is one of the 34 globally renowned biodiversity hotspots. Therefore, it is important to conserve the endangered species there. But ecotourism could have been permitted with certain restrictions. 

Abdul Kader 

Tirunelveli