Tirunelveli reader’s mail – The Hindu

Water scarcity

Vazhavallan in Eral taluk is known for its agricultural activities, particularly banana cultivation. Nearby villages such as Korkai, Ariyapuram, Arumugamangalam, Maramangalam and Agaram were also renowned farming areas. However, areas such as Vazhavallan and Korkai are facing severe water shortage due to the failed southwest monsoon and the El Nino effect. It is unfortunate that the agricultural activities in the areas have been severely hit by ongoing water scarcity issues, though places like Agaram, Vazhavallan and Korkai are located in close proximity to Tamirabarani river.

Considering the seriousness of water shortages hitting the residential areas and agricultural activities, the Collectors of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli district should come forward and take quick measures to resolve the ongoing water scarcity at the earliest. It is also worthwhile to consider providing timely financial assistance to local farmers hit by the failed monsoon.

The Tamil Nadu government must chart out green strategies like Andhra Pradesh to protect all waterbodies and water resources in Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli and Kanniyakumari districts.

P. Senthil Saravana Durai,

Vazhavallan.

Connectivity woes

Almost two years have passed since the inauguration of Rail Over Bridge (ROB) connecting the southern parts of Palayamkottai with Maharaja Nagar and the northern side. Since it is a one-way narrow bridge it was said that a railway underpass would be constructed to connect the two sides and facilitate passage of two wheelers and four wheelers.

Following the protest from the public, two wheelers were allowed to cross the railway gate. However, it seems that not even an iota of work has commenced for the construction of the underpass. The railway crossing has again started looking the same before the opening of the bridge, with a crowd of two wheelers. For the convenience of the public the railway gate must be opened for the four wheelers as well, until the underpass work commences. Another railway underpass at IOB Colony is not used much due to its zigzag design and waterlogging on most of the days. The public is also apprehensive about the depth of the underpass even though a measurement scale is being painted on one side. More worrying that ‘Y’ shaped ROB is Kulavaigarpuram is only paper no work has commenced so far.

H. Syed Othuman,

Maharaja Nagar.

Beach development

Kanniyakumari district has a coastline of around 59 km along the Arabian Sea and around 11 km along the Bay of Bengal. Though there are several beaches, Kanniyakumari alone gets a very large number of tourists exceeding its carrying capacity. Domestic tourism has also surged recently. Some of the tourists come for spiritual reasons and many others come for relaxation and to create memories with sunsets and intimate strolls. Hence to avoid overcrowded tourism, it is essential to develop the nearby beaches like Vattakottai, Muttom, Lemur Beach, Sanguthurai, Sothavilai and Manakudi estuary. The district authorities are requested to provide proper public transport, toilets and garbage bins in these tourist destinations.

G. Stanley Jeyasingh,

Nagercoil.