Neknamalai residents struggle for road and healthcare in Tirupattur
Villagers in the Neknamalai hills face difficulties accessing medical care and basic facilities due to a lack of roads and transport.
Residents of the Neknamalai hills in the Alangayam block of Tirupattur continue to face challenges regarding healthcare and infrastructure, according to The New Indian Express. The settlement, which houses around 1,000 people, lacks a bituminous road and regular bus services.
The absence of medical facilities has led to several deaths. A resident, Jaya, stated that her 50-year-old brother died of a heart attack and her uncle died from a snakebite because they could not reach a hospital in time. A woman, Kaniyamma, reportedly lost three pregnancies, with two babies lost while being carried on a 7-km mud track to reach medical centres.
An Amma Mini Clinic that opened in 2020 was shut down by the state government within a year. ASHA worker Viji said a team from Ambur Government Hospital visits the village every 15 days, but newborns must still be taken downhill for immunisation.
Education is also affected, as children often have to travel downhill or stay in hostels for middle and high school. The village has a primary school with one teacher and approximately 10 students.
District Collector Nallasivan V, who inspected the area on Saturday, said the first stage of forest clearance has been granted. He stated that road connectivity is the first priority and healthcare needs will be addressed once the road is completed.