Kalikuppam residents seek urgent repair to damaged community hall and anganwadi

Residents of Kalikuppam, a fishing village under the Kottuchery commune in Karaikal, have called for the immediate repair of the village’s only community hall and anganwadi building, both of which are in a dilapidated condition. The two facilities were constructed in 2008 by a New Delhi-based trust as part of post-tsunami relief effort but have since fallen into disuse because of lack of maintenance.

The community hall, once a well-built structure, is now completely damaged, leaving the village — with around 180 fishing families — without a space for conducting public or family events. “We are forced to approach neighbouring villages or rent private halls, which either causes friction or results in heavy expenses,” said Anbazhagan M., a panchayat member from the village.

The anganwadi building, part of the tsunami rehabilitation initiative, has become unusable over the years. At present, the anganwadi operates from a cramped room inside the government primary school, where more than 20 children are enrolled.

“Both the anganwadi and community hall were part of the same post-tsunami initiative. Now, one is in ruins, and the other is functioning in a congested schoolroom. We have submitted several petitions to the district administration, but action has not been taken so far,” Mr. Anbazhagan added.

Official sources said the delay in repair work was due to lack of funds. However, restoration would be initiated once the Puducherry government allocates the required budget.