Sirumalai residents oppose panchayat division plans

Residents of Sirumalai in Dindigul district are against plans to split their panchayat into two parts: Sirumalai and Thenmalai. They argue that Pudur in Sirumalai is a better location for important services and infrastructure. The community submitted a petition to the Dindigul Collector. They highlighted that Sirumalai has over 1,500 voters, while Thenmalai has less than 500. The residents pointed out that the State Highways Department has already built a road to Pudur, making it more accessible. In contrast, reaching Thenmalai requires traveling through a forest area. Sirumalai is home to a government school, an anganwadi, and enough land for more government offices. The residents believe it would be impractical to establish new facilities in the forested area of Thenmalai. They see no need to divide the panchayat and suggest instead focusing on developing Pudur as a central hub for services.