Anthiyur MLA A.G. Venkatachalam inaugurated a new bus service between Anthiyur and Kongadai to cater to the residents of remote hamlets in the western area of Bargur Hills.
TNSTC Addressing Connectivity Challenges
- Around 5,200 people reside in 15 hamlets in the western hill area, many of which lack road connectivity.
- Residents, especially students, rely on pickup vans to reach educational institutions and workplaces, leading to an increase in dropouts.
Previous Efforts and Challenges
- TNSTC started a bus service in 2019, but inconvenient timings failed to serve school students, forcing them to walk eight km daily to reach their school at Osur.
- With the establishment of the Government Arts and Science College in Anthiyur, students traveling from Kongadai to Anthiyur daily demanded another bus service.
Advocacy and Implementation
- MLA Venkatachalam advocated for an additional bus service to the Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and other ministers, resulting in the new bus service being launched.
- The focus of the bus service is to cater to the needs of school and college students, providing them with convenient transportation.
Future Plans
- Plans are underway to lay roads connecting the main road with remote hamlets like Tholli, Thammuratti, Thalakarai, and Chinna Sengulam.
- Another bus will be introduced to connect these hamlets, addressing the need for improved connectivity in the region.
Enhancing Educational Opportunities
- MLA Venkatachalam also highlighted the demand for a library for students to prepare for competitive examinations, which has been taken up with the Chief Minister.
The new Anthiyur-Kongadai bus service, initiated by MLA A.G. Venkatachalam, greatly improves transportation for remote Bargur Hills hamlets. This effort addresses connectivity challenges, particularly for students, and signifies progress in enhancing regional quality of life and educational opportunities.
Source : thehindu
