Thiruvananthapuram: This ‘layam’ at Ponmudi lacks even basic amenities

By: Kripa M S
Thiruvananthapuram: For 60-year-old Eshwari, an estate worker residing in the ‘layam’ (workers quarters) at Ponmudi, using toilet at night is extremely difficult.
She said the residents have to resist their urge to use toilets due to fear of wild animal attacks. She said the common toilets, which are a few metres away from the ‘layam’, are in a poor condition and sometimes they have to defecate outside.
Eshwari had once encountered a bear during her way to the toilet.The place, which is about one-hour drive from Vithura, does not even have facilities for basic medical treatment. The dispensary has been closed for several months due to lack of employees.
The estate workers have been demanding immediate intervention of the authorities to ensure basic amenities. They are also not getting salaries for the past five months. Over 250 people are living here in two divisions.
“Most of the residents do not have any other income. They are still working because they believe that they will get their payment someday. There was a nurse in the dispensary to give emergency medicines to the patients, but she also quit the job. The panchayat has approved 200 toilets as part of the Suchitwa Mission, but it demands contribution from the estate management,” said Radhamani R, ward member of Ponmudi.
The director of the estate, S Chandramohan, has said that the company is facing financial instability since the outbreak of Covid-19.