Forest roads improve access to remote tribal hamlets in Erode district

Aimed at improving connectivity to remote tribal hamlets, the district administration has constructed 49.99 km of forest roads at a cost of ₹61.88 crore in the hill areas of the district.

Many settlements located within the forest regions of Anthiyur, Sathyamangalam, Talavadi, and Thuckanaickenpalayam (T.N. Palayam) have long suffered from inadequate road infrastructure. In response to sustained demands for tar-topped and concrete roads, new roads have been developed under multiple schemes, including the Chief Minister’s Rural Roads Development Scheme and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. These roads are part of a broader initiative to connect nine tribal settlements spread across the hilly and forested terrains of the Anthiyur and Talavadi blocks.

According to a release from Collector Raja Gopal Sunkara, six roadworks have been completed, one is in progress, and two are scheduled to begin in the upcoming financial year. Ongoing works were Anthiyur block – Anaipodu forest road (₹1.09 crore), Thammuratti forest road (₹13.96 lakh), Onnakarai forest road (₹19.10 lakh), Thamaraikarai to Thalakkarai (₹74 lakh), Talavadi block – Dhimbam – Mavanatham road (₹81.96 lakh), Dhimbam – Kalithimbam road (₹1.08 crore) and Dhimbam–Ramaranai road (₹51.45 lakh). The release noted that other infrastructure improvements had also been made in the hill areas.

The Collector stated that these road developments had significantly improved access to healthcare and education for tribal communities in remote areas, enabling timely emergency medical services and facilitating students’ daily commute to schools and colleges.

So far, 33.184 km of forest roads had been completed, with 16.806 km currently under construction. Proposals had been submitted for an additional 6.050 km of roads in the Anthiyur and Talavadi blocks, the release added.