Stating that ban on coracle services in River Cauvery between Jedarpalayam in Namakkal district and Karuvelam Palayam in Erode district is affecting the people, villagers along with coracle operators’ submitted petition to the Collector seeking permission for resuming the service here recently.
A petition said that permission was given for the current year for ferrying people between the two districts that were separated by the river. However, during the recent floods, officials of the Revenue Department had banned the operation of the service. After the flood water receded, operators attempted to clear the sand dunes so that coracles could be operated. But, officials of the Public Works Department stopped the works and did not allow the services to resume.
The petition said many villagers had to cross the river for their work and also reach their native place located on both the sides of the river. Due to non-operation of the coracles in the past two months, people have to take additional distance of 20 km. to reach their destinations either through Solasiramani or Vellore.
“Students were unable to reach their colleges on time affecting their studies”, the petition said. Hence, considering the sufferings of the people in these areas, the district administration should take steps and permit for operating coracles, the petition said. Later, they submitted petition to the Collector C. Kathiravan who assured to take action.