Members of the Ayyanar Kovil Dam Agricultural Irrigation Association submitted a petition demanding to renovate the Mallapuram - Mayiladumparai road which has not been repaired for a long time.

“Maintenance work has not been carried out properly for the past few years on the Mallapuram - Mayiladumparai road, which falls within the Mallapuram Panchayat of Peraiyur Taluk under the Usilampatti Subdivision and the Peraiyur Highway Division,” said A.R. Vinoth, Secretary of the forum.

Additionally, due to the rain that lashed last month, breaches and soil erosion have occurred here and there, and the roads were completely damaged.

People belonging to more than 20 panchayats including Kadamalaikundu, Varusanadu, and Mayiladumparai in Andipatti Taluk, and those traveling from major towns in Theni district like Cumbum, Chinnamanur, Palayam, and Theni for commercial and business purposes, use this route to go via Peraiyur and via Usilampatti, he pointed out.

Especially, agricultural produce grown in Theni district is taken through this route to districts like Virudhunagar, Tenkasi, and Tirunelveli. Not only that, this road is very vital for various transportations related to agriculture and agriculture-based industries, Mr. Vinoth stated.

The villages in the Kadamalai Mayilai Panchayat Union in Andipatti Taluk earn their livelihood by relying on agriculture.

There is a situation where their children have to go to an educational institution located in Mallapuram for their education.

“More than 500 students from areas like Kadamalaikundu, Mayiladumparai, Varusanadu, Sirapparai, and Upputhurai study in Mallapuram. Due to the rain last month, the road was damaged and transport was cut off for about a week, creating a situation where students could not pursue their education,” he said.

The road for about seven kilometres from Mallapuram panchayat MM Patti Checkpost to Thazhaiyuthu was severely damaged and in poor condition.

The petitioners requested the district administration at the grievance day meeting here on Monday to inspect, intervene in this matter, repair the road immediately, and regularise the transport.