Villagers charged ₹100 to use the road ; activists say its unethical

The residents of seven tribal hamlets near Kunjapanai in Kotagiri have alleged that a private tea estate is charging them a fee to use a stretch of road laid by the estate owners.

L. Balan, an Irular tribesman residing in Semmanarai village, said that if the tribal people want to bring a vehicle to carry their goods to the market, the estate charges them up to ₹100 to use the road. “This is the only motorable road through which we could reach Melkoopu, Kilkoopu, Attadi, Daalamokai, Kolithotai and Semmanarai village,” said Mr. Balan.

Revenue department officials, speaking to The Hindu, said that the “right of access” belongs to the locals, regardless of whether the road belongs to the private estate.

The residents have been highlighting the issue to the district administration for many years. S. Krishnammal, former panchayat president of Kunjapanai, said that she had brought the issue to the notice of the District Collector, but the estate owners were unwilling to stop the practice.

“The estate road is around 1.5 km long, and connects to a road laid by the panchayat,” she said.

P.Chinthamani, another resident, said that tribal people who live in the villagers were mostly farm labourers and daily wage workers. For a trip to Semmanarai village from the main road, a distance of 6 km, jeep drivers charge Rs. 300, she said and added that taking a jeep to the villages would become much more affordable if the vehicles were not charged at the road entrance.

K.Veerappan, an adivasi rights activist working in the Nilgiris, said the toll being charged by the estate was unethical and against the rights of the tribal people living there. “The administration should either get the issue sorted, or make alternative arrangements without disturbing the pristine forest in the area that is home to many animals and birds, including the Great Indian Hornbill,” he said. Maathan, manager of the estate, admitted that vehicles were charged to use the road, but said that the fee was levied only on “outside vehicles” that did not belong to the villagers. The District Revenue Officer, T Baskarapandi, said that an inquiry will be initiated into the allegations.