A broken bridge over a tributary of Thenpenaiyar at Sooriyankuppam is giving residents a tough time as they find it difficult to reach the only cremation ground in the area.
The residents of Soriankuppam and the nearby places of Kuruvinatham and Irulansanthai have traditionally been using the cremation ground located in the border villages of Bahaur.
After a long struggle a small bridge was built nine years ago.
Due to heavy rains during the northeast monsoon in 2017, a portion of the bridge was washed away, causing untold hardship to the residents of the area.
“It was in the old days, when we had to cross the river carrying the dead body to the cremation ground. During monsoon, we have to take a detour to reach the cremation ground,” said Dinakaran, a resident of Kuruvinatham.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized several agitations, including a mock funeral two years ago, demanding the immediate restoration of the bridge.
CPI(M) resident and state committee member D Tamil Selvan said the bridge was not constructed properly.
“We are familiar with the topography, and suggested how to build a structure that can withstand heavy rains and floods. But our suggestions were ignored. The bridge partially collapsed, and it is difficult to enter the crematorium even when there is no water as it is situated at an elevated position,” Mr Selvan said.
“The government should rebuild the bridge in such a way that the structure does not get submerged in rain,” Mr. Dinakaran said.
“Apart from the construction of the bridge, the Public Works Department should also repair the Cuddalore-Pallianalliyanur road near the cremation ground. The road has not been repaired for over a decade,” Mr Selvan said.