Pulppally: Residents of Ambathekkar, part of Cheeyambam Unnathi and assigned forest land under the Forest Rights Act, continue to face severe restrictions on movement. The situation has worsened with the onset of the monsoon.

It has been a year since Minister O R Kelu directed the Scheduled Tribe Development Department to make the earthen road motorable during his visit to the area. Locals personally highlighted their hardships to the minister after a man was electrocuted.

Tribal development officers prepared an estimate and submitted a proposal to the government for concreting a 2.5 km stretch of the road, which would benefit all families in Ambathekkar. However, no funds have been allocated and no follow-up action has been taken. Children in Unnathi are struggling to attend school, patients face difficulty reaching hospitals, and residents are unable to pursue casual work or even buy essential supplies. Over 100 families are affected by the absence of a proper road.

Residents are demanding a road connecting Ambatharu and Amarakkuni areas. The Kerala Adivasi Forum office bearers have urged the government to immediately allocate funds for construction and complete the project at the earliest.