Dilapidated Dam Puts Lives at Risk in Sullia Constituency

The Kindi Anekattu dam, nestled between Peruvaje and Kodiala villages in Sullia constituency, is currently in a precarious state, causing grave concerns for local residents. Built over 45 years ago, the dam has deteriorated significantly over the past three years, with its concrete slab broken and posing a potential collapse threat this monsoon season. More than 60 households rely on this route, which serves as their primary access point, yet the absence of protective walls on both sides exacerbates safety risks, especially for children and the elderly who must traverse using an arecanut tree trunk as a makeshift bridge.

Local demands for repairs have gone unanswered despite repeated pleas to elected representatives. Vanitha, a resident, voiced frustration over the prolonged neglect, emphasizing the urgent need for a permanent solution. Recently, the MLA visited the site and promised to construct a new connecting bridge, albeit a temporary concrete slab has been laid as a stopgap measure.

A similar plight is faced by over 100 families of the male Kudiyas community near the Balnad river, where a lack of a proper connecting bridge forces them to resort to a perilous hanging bridge made from arecanut tree trunks. This makeshift solution, while essential for accessibility, poses significant risks, compelling locals to choose between unsafe passage or a daunting 15-kilometer detour.

The community’s predicament underscores broader issues of infrastructure neglect and the urgent need for sustainable solutions. Social media discussions are aiming to draw attention to the plight of these communities and advocate for lasting improvements in rural connectivity and safety infrastructure.