COIMBATORE: A Public Distribution System (PDS) shop in Maruthapuram village, near Vadavalli in Coimbatore, has become an open bar for local drunkards after the civic supplies department abandoned it after wild elephants vandalised it two years ago.
In July 2023, two wild elephants, in an attempt to access the ship inside the PDS shop, broke open the steel shutter. However, the civil supplies department relocated the shop to a rented space in Abhirami Nagar rather than repairing the building and resuming services. Though this move was said to be temporary, no action has been taken to return to the building after renovation.
R Santhakumar, founder of the NGO Aaniver Organisation, said that about Rs 8 lakh was spent from the MP’s constituency development scheme in 2015-16 for the shop’s construction.
Santhakumar added that though the PDS shop was previously operated in a private building, a permanent concrete-roofed structure was built following multiple requests from the public residing in the village. After the construction, officials delayed occupying the new building, and then it was damaged by elephants. Instead of taking measures to repair the building and safeguard it against wildlife intrusion, the civil supplies department left it abandoned. Which is now misused by drunkards.
Santhakumar further said that if the civic supplies department is reluctant to operate the ration shop, the building could be repurposed for other needs, such as an Anganwadi centre for children.
“There are two government buildings, the ration shop and library. Both of which are abandoned. We are urging the officials to utilise these facilities and establish an anganwadi centre. While the village has available buildings, it lacks operational facilities,” he said.
He further said, “Instead of spending on rent, the department could invest in protective measures around such buildings, such as placing solar fencing around these buildings to prevent wild elephant movement. If the department can effectively implement such measures in hilly regions, why are they hesitant to do so here?” he questioned.
Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar told TNIE that he would inquire about the issue with officials and take necessary action on it.