Collector S. Kandasamy hands over a vehicle key to a student transport driver at Vilankombai tribal settlement in Tamil Nadu’s Erode on Friday. | Photo credit: M. Govarthan
The long pending demand of the people of Vilankombai tribal settlement for a dedicated school vehicle to ensure safe commuting of their children has been met with the state government allocating a van for the purpose.
The hamlet, comprising 45 families, is located deep inside the TN Palayam Forest Range under Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve and falls under Kongarpalayam Panchayat in Thookkanaicken Palayam Panchayat Union in Gobichettipalayam taluk. Students from the settlement have to cross a 7 km stretch of forest, cross four streams and travel another 3 km to reach their schools.
In the absence of public transport and the risks involved in traveling through the forest – where wild animals are often sighted – many students were previously forced to stay at home. In recent years, a monthly transport assistance of ₹600 per student was provided under the Samagra Shiksha scheme along with ₹700 per student from the district administration paid to a private vehicle owner for transporting students to and from the village. However, the commercial vehicle was found to be unsafe during the rainy season as the students had to take shelter under a tarpaulin.
On 23 January 2026, S. Annadurai, Director, Tribal Welfare Department, visited the village during which the residents reiterated their demand for a school supply. Due to the urgency of the situation, orders were recently issued to provide a vehicle. A van earlier allotted to the Government Tribal Residential School at Kilakadu in Kallakurichi district has been handed over to the district administration for use in the village.
On Friday (February 27, 2026), collector S. Kandasamy handed over the key to the vehicle at the collection point to the NGO entrusted with the operation of the vehicle, the Service Unit for Rural Development Activities (SUDAR). The NGO will receive ₹1,300 per student to cover the driver’s salary and fuel expenses.
Mr. Natraj told The Hindu that 19 students are studying in Panchayat Union Middle School in Vinobanagar and seven in Government Higher Secondary School in Kongarpalayam. “All 26 students will be transported to their schools in two trips every day from March 2, 2026,” he said.
Published – 27 Feb 2026 17:27 IST
