The long-neglected road leading to Sholayar has been officially handed over to the Valparai Municipality, clearing the way for long-awaited repair and maintenance works. Officials said the nearly 3-kilometre stretch, which has remained in poor condition for more than a decade, will be upgraded once it is formally brought under municipal control.

The road was previously managed by Sholayar Estate and serves as a vital access route for residents of areas such as Nallakathu Estate and Mudis. Hundreds of people rely on the stretch daily as their primary means of transport, making its condition a persistent concern for local communities.

Despite repeated appeals from residents, the municipality was unable to carry out repair works earlier as the road did not fall under its jurisdiction. Public frustration over the delay led to multiple protests, including a recent demonstration by political organisations that drew attention by planting banana saplings on the damaged road surface.

Municipal officials said the estate management has now agreed to hand over the entire width of the road to facilitate proper reconstruction. Earlier, the estate had proposed transferring only half the width, but officials said this would have been insufficient for building a durable road.

An official from the municipality’s engineering wing said the road connects several villages and estates and has long been under pressure for repairs. Following approval from the district collector and the Directorate of Municipal Administration, the road will be assigned a unique municipal code, after which a tender will be floated and repair works will commence.

The municipality also plans to take over additional estate roads in the coming months as part of efforts to improve connectivity and road infrastructure in the Valparai region.