Residents of Chinnamedu, a fishing hamlet in Kalamanallur panchayat with about 300 families, have urged the government to provide a permanent road to their traditional burial ground, located 2.5 km from the village temple.
For generations, villagers reached the site along the seashore, but erosion and formation of sand dunes during rainy season have made the route unusable for the past 15 years. The only alternative runs through private prawn farms, and residents say carrying bodies during funerals becomes nearly impossible during rain.
“Our burial ground is on poramboke land, but there is no proper access. When it rains, we are forced to struggle through sand dunes or negotiate narrow private paths. We just want a simple, all-weather road,” said R. Murugeswari, a resident of Chinnamedu.
Another villager, S. Sathya added that the demand had been raised multiple times in grama sabha meetings but no action had followed. “Every family here faces this hardship. It is a matter of dignity as much as convenience,” she said.
When contacted, a Rural Development Department official said the issue would be examined.
