Road project for Nilgiris Scheduled Caste village sparks dispute

A road project intended to improve access for 40 Scheduled Caste families in Ambal Colony in Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris district has led to a dispute between the village and members of a surrounding dominant-caste community. Residents of the colony, made up of Sri Lankan repatriate families, have sought a road for more than 40 years. Their demand gained ground after the Directorate of Adi Dravidar Welfare sanctioned funds to acquire 18.77 cents of land for ₹17.36 lakh under the 2013 land acquisition law.

The order was issued on September 3, 2026, and notices were sent to landowners. However, members of the surrounding community protested on September 23 and demanded that the project be cancelled. The protesters cited possible landslips and the proposed road’s proximity to the Sri Mahalingaswami Temple in Havoor village.

Ambal Colony residents, however, said the road would end at a clearing below the settlement rather than run directly to the village. Villagers currently face an uphill walk of about a kilometre from the main road. They said the terrain is difficult and the surrounding area contains wildlife, making it especially challenging for pregnant women, elderly people and residents with mobility problems to reach healthcare.

Residents alleged that opposition to the project had also contributed to social exclusion. They said some local shops had stopped selling them goods and that certain tea estate owners had stopped providing work. These allegations were made by residents and were not independently verified in the supplied material.

Maran, state joint secretary of the People’s Power Party, said villagers had previously submitted petitions, staged hunger strikes and threatened to boycott elections before the road was sanctioned. He urged the State’s Social Justice Minister to visit the area and prevent further tension. A.

Kathir of the civil rights organisation Evidence described the opposition as discriminatory and said it could raise issues under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The source material ends before recording any response from officials or community representatives to that claim.