CHUNKAAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners have approached this Court seeking to direct the respondents to go ahead with the construction of Blavana-Kallelimedu Bridge in a war-footing so as to provide the petitioners-Tribal people adequate ventilation to have air and light from the main land.

(2.) The first four petitioners are Chiefs of four Tribal Settlements in Kallelimedu area. The 5 th and 6th petitioners are agricultural settlers in Kallelimedu area. There are about 60 families of Tribals in the Settlement, apart from 200 families of non-Tribal settlers. The area falls in Ward No.VI of Kuttampuzha Grama Panchayat.

(3.) The petitioners state that the area is beyond the Periyar River and stands isolated. The Tribals have to resort to ferry from Kallelimedu to Blavana at the main road which is the old Munnar-Aluva Road. The said Ferry operated by the Grama Panchayat is available only during day time. People in Kallelimedu area depend on Kothamangalam Municipality which is about 40 Km. away, for all their requirements, including Hospitals, education, employment and trade.