Residents of Muthumandapam have demanded the inauguration of a primary school and a ration shop, the buildings for which were constructed a year ago, but have not yet been opened for public use.
More than 500 family card holders from Muthumandapam, belonging to ward 59 of the Vellore Corporation, are forced to travel to Thottapalayam, which is about a kilometre away from the present location, for buying rations.
They complained that more than the distance, the busy Chennai-Bangalore National Highways was a matter of concern, as they found it difficult to carry the rice bags and cross the roads.
Following repeated representations, a ration shop under the MLA’s Constituency Development Fund (2011-2012), was built at a cost of ` 2.50 lakh at Muthumandapam a year ago. However, it was not opened for public use. In addition to this, the residents had also been demanding a school in the same area for their children.
Noting that Green Circle was the main junction connecting Chennai and Bangalore, Ranjitham, a resident, noted that the road was always busy and put the children going to the Government School in Thottapalayam to hardship.
After repeated demands, a fund of Rs 6 lakh was allotted for a primary school at Muthumandapam, under the MLA’s Constituency Development Fund for the year 2011-2012. This building was constructed 10 months ago, but was not opened for public use.
Councillor K Pichaimuthu said that steps were being taken to make the ration shop function at least on a part-time basis but the delay in moving papers in government departments was hindering the work.