Residents of Pattanam Panchayat near Sulur in Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, resorted to planting saplings along rain-soaked, waterlogged roads to highlight the dire state of local infrastructure.
This symbolic act, carried out on Wednesday, brought widespread attention to the persistent neglect of essential civic amenities in the area. Following recent heavy rains, key residential pockets such as Kaveri Nagar and Ranga Nagar have been rendered almost inaccessible due to unpaved, muddy roads compounded by the absence of proper stormwater drainage. The ongoing accumulation of water has worsened living conditions, underscoring the urgent need for infrastructural upgrades in this peri-urban locality.
Residents voiced deep frustration over the lack of development, emphasising how decades have passed without significant improvement. Many face irregular water supply, with potable water being available only once every twelve days, compelling nearly half the population to purchase water from private sources. Compounding these hardships, the panchayat has been unable to maintain roads, frequently citing budgetary constraints. Further exacerbating the situation, pipeline installation work has disrupted local thoroughfares, leaving several stretches dug up and neglected.
Community leaders stressed the necessity for immediate government intervention to construct durable, bitumen-surfaced roads and efficient drainage systems capable of withstanding monsoon challenges. They warned that without timely action, their peaceful protests could escalate. Addressing the concerns, a Sulur Block Development official clarified that ongoing pipeline works by a public sector oil company are nearing completion. Only after these essential utilities are installed will restoration and road surfacing begin. Plans and cost estimates for road repairs in the surrounding peri-urban areas have been prepared, with execution expected to commence shortly.
Parallelly, senior district officials convened a high-level review meeting on Wednesday. The Coimbatore District Collector and the Corporation Commissioner directed authorities to prioritise immediate repair and reconstruction of major roads connecting critical localities. Roads such as Ganapathy to Kanuvai via Maniyakkarapalayam, Thudiyalur to Marudhamalai, and Ramanathapuram to Chettipalayam through Nanjundapuram were specifically identified for urgent intervention. This episode brings into sharp focus the challenge of sustainable urban infrastructure development in fast-growing cities like Coimbatore. The residents’ innovative protest highlights the human cost of inadequate civic planning, especially as climate patterns increasingly expose vulnerabilities in local infrastructure. As Tamil Nadu continues its urban transformation, ensuring equitable access to resilient roads and reliable utilities remains pivotal for fostering inclusive, eco-friendly communities.
For Coimbatore’s peri-urban residents, the symbolic planting of saplings on slushy roads is a call for action — a plea for infrastructure that meets their basic needs and supports a sustainable urban future. The response from authorities in the coming weeks will determine whether this peaceful protest catalyses real change or becomes a forgotten voice amid growing urban challenges.
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