Roadwork yet to begin in SC hamlet near Nagapattinam, residents flag delay

Residents of Vazhmangalam in Thirumarugal block of Nagapattinam district have urged the district administration to immediately commence long-pending roadwork, citing severe hardship caused by damaged and unmotorable internal roads.

Vazhmangalam, a Scheduled Caste (SC) hamlet under Agarakonthagai panchayat, is home to nearly 300 families. The people of the village said that internal roads, particularly in Matha Kovil Street and Thoppu Street, have been in a dilapidated condition for nearly three decades, with loose gravel, deep potholes, and uneven surfaces affecting daily life, besides causing hardship to schoolchildren and to patients during medical emergencies.

Official sources said funds had been sanctioned and work orders issued for several roads under different schemes two months ago. These include ₹47 lakh under the Chief Minister’s Road Development Scheme for Matha Kovil Street; ₹10.60 lakh under the Ayothidasa Pandithar Scheme for Thoppu Street; ₹6.62 lakh from the MLA constituency development fund for Mariamman Kovil Street; and ₹6.60 lakh under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, along with ₹6 lakh from the union general fund, for paving Kaliamman Kovil Street.

While work had commenced in Mariamman Kovil Street and Kaliamman Kovil Street, residents allege that Matha Kovil Street and Thoppu Street, where a large number of SC families reside, have been left untouched despite repeated representations to officials.

Social activist R. Ravi said elected representatives, including the Nagapattinam MP, V. Selvaraja, and the local MLA, had visited the area and assured residents of early action, but contractors were yet to begin work. In a letter to District Collector in December, the MP flagged issues relating to drinking water supply, house site pattas, and incomplete government housing in the village.

When The Hindu contacted a senior district official, he said funds had been sanctioned and other civic issues were under consideration. “The remaining roadworks will be taken up shortly,” the official added.