COIMBATORE: Karumbukadai is the area between Ukkadam and Athupalam toll plaza. Several small colonies are part of this area and 50,000-odd residents dwell here, a majority of whom belong to the minority community. For several decades, residents of the area lament that they are not provided with basic amenities. All this despite the area being one of the most densely populated regions of the 100-wards Coimbatore municipal corporation.
The blame game for the area not being provided with basic civic amenities continues. Karumbukkadai is divided between ward 75 and ward 86. Unfortunately the two wards are headed by leaders of two different political parties.
While ward 75 of Singanallur is under the jurisdiction of DMK MLA Karthik, ward 86 of Thondamuthur comes under the control of the AIADMK minister S P Velumani. “Thus, leaders of the two different political parties, who when approached for providing basic amenities in Karumbukkadai, pass the buck on each other.” M. Abdul Hakkim public relations secretary of Coimbatore chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind told DC.
The presence of a government-aided high school in Azad Nagar here has poor student strength. Karumbukkadai has one corporation primary school and one government primary school. After children pass out of class V, parents are forced to enroll their children in private schools. A section of parents do not even consider this option. The area residents demand that either a government or a corporation high school is established here at the earliest. There is no government library, park or play area for children. Karumbukkadai also lacks a health centre. The closest one is the Coimbatore Medical College and Hospital. Residents demand a health centre is set up there without any further delay.
Depending on the availability, drinking water is supplied here once in ten or 15 days. “We are not asking for luxury. We demand that we are provided with the basic amities. We are law-abiding citizens who pay our taxes on time, yet we are not provided with basic facilities,” Abdul Hakkim said. On any given day, garbage lies mounted on the roads.
“It has been seven long years since the residents of the area have in unison demanded the basic of facilities. Sadly, our voices continue to fall on deaf ears.” sighs Abdul Hakkim.
