Concrete stretch laid by tribals removed

The villagers of Seenakolli hamlet, located two kilometres from Marapalam had recently laid a cement road by mobilizing funds on their own. “It remains a tar road only for half the way in the two-kilometre stretch from Marapalam to their hamlet. Then, it is a mud way. So, over a long time, the villagers have sought for a tar road to their locality,” said a forest department staff. 

Due to lack of a proper road, vehicles could not go by the way and people faced in-numerable trouble.  Following this, the villagers themselves pooled in money and laid cement topped road on the stretch. However, the Devala forest department staff, who found the new road being laid in the forest area, removed it. 

The new road has been laid for a distance of around 60 feet. The villagers, who were unaware of the development, were shocked to find their newly laid road removed. Though the villagers condemned the move, the forest department justified their decision as it is an offence to lay a road in the forest area.