Residents of Kuttaiyur, a secluded village nestled along the Tamil Nadu–Karnataka border, find themselves in a challenging predicament: their daily existence is heavily reliant on Karnataka. This dependence stems from a fundamental lack of road connectivity and the absence of a vital bridge spanning a forest stream.
Local villagers emphasize that a lasting solution hinges on two key developments: the construction of a much-needed bridge and the extension of bus services from the nearest accessible settlement directly to their village.
Home to approximately 450 people, Kuttaiyur is administered under the Bargur panchayat in Anthiyur taluk. Meanwhile, the nearest connected point, Makkampalayam, falls under the Koothampalayam panchayat in Sathyamangalam taluk. Public bus routes from Kadambur currently terminate at Makkampalayam, a good 5 kilometers away. For onward travel to Makkampalayam, both villagers and students must rely on a pickup van, ironically, from Karnataka.
The existing forest path is far from ideal—narrow, rugged, and frequently traversed by a stream. During the rainy season, the water levels rise, forcing the Karnataka-based vehicle to bypass Kuttaiyur entirely and head straight to Makkampalayam. This unfortunate turn of events means students miss school and daily wage earners are unable to work.
“This cycle of isolation repeats itself every year between October and January,” lamented a Class 9 student. “Our primary needs are simple: a proper road, a bridge across the stream, and a functioning bus service to our village.”
With the arduous commute to Makkampalayam, many residents opt for an alternative: crossing the Palar river to reach Jallipalayam in Karnataka, a mere 2 kilometers away, where they can purchase groceries and access medical facilities. “We turn to Karnataka for almost everything, except our children’s schooling,” a villager explained. During the monsoon, when the Palar river swells and overflows, Kuttaiyur becomes completely cut off. “We’ve lived with this dependence on Karnataka for years. It’s time for a change, especially for the sake of our children’s future,” another resident added.
Even during elections, the logistical challenges are significant. Officials from Anthiyur undertake an 83-kilometer journey to reach the Government Tribal Residential Middle School, which functions as the polling station. Election materials are transported via a circuitous route through Karnataka: 54 kilometers through the Bargur Hills to Kargekandi in Chamarajanagar district, then another 24 kilometers to Jallipalayam, before finally crossing back into Tamil Nadu to reach Kuttaiyur.
Children attend school up to Class 8 in the village, then commute to Makkampalayam for Classes 9 and 10, and further to Kadambur for higher secondary education. Villagers pay ₹20 per trip, while students are charged ₹10 to reach Makkampalayam. They frequently miss classes and crucial examinations during the rainy season due to the lack of reliable transport, reiterating their plea to the government for improved road access.
Anthiyur MLA A.G. Venkatachalam confirmed that proposals for both a bridge over the forest stream and a new road, with a combined estimated cost of ₹6.5 crore, have been submitted to the government. He also mentioned that “A proposal for a bridge near Velampatti at a cost of ₹7 crore is also under consideration. Once these projects are completed, the connectivity issues faced by these border villages will be effectively resolved.”