Coimbatore: Farmers under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) have petitioned the water resources and finance ministers, seeking immediate steps to restore the dilapidated main and branch canals, the detailed project report for which was prepared by the previous government. The report had pegged the cost of work at Rs 4,500 crore.
Memorandum Handed Over to Ministers
Led by PAP Thirumoorthy Reservoir Project Committee president Paramasivam, farmers met water resources minister Anand, finance minister Mariam Wilson, PWD principal secretary Sathyapradha Sahu and chief minister's special secretary Annadurai at the secretariat in Chennai on Saturday and handed over a memorandum outlining their demands.
Severe Damage to Canals
They flagged severe damages to Kandur canal's unfinished stretches, PAP project main canal, shutters and several branch and distribution canals, which they said were leading to water wastage, delayed delivery and a month-long cycle for one round of supply, affecting cultivation.
Irrigation Coverage and Maintenance Issues
Paramasivam said the main canals and field channels were maintained by the Water Resources Department, while around 1,000 km of distribution and sub-distribution canals are taken care of by the irrigation associations. "PAP irrigation covers 3,77,152 acres in Palar basin under Thirumoorthy dam and 44,000 acres in Aliyar basin under Aliyar dam. In the Thirumoorthy command, irrigation is organized into four zones, and in the Aliyar command, it is divided into two zones."
Desilting Challenges
Farmers said desilting of canals was carried out effectively during 2016–2021 through 'kudimaramathu' allocations, but no such funds were provided during 2021–2025, leaving the irrigation associations unable to desilt the canals and ensure tail-end supply. Pointing out that they were relying on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act labour force for desilting, the farmers said they were now facing constraints. "We are told that a canal could be desilted only once in three years. The previous chief minister had announced an annual Rs 10-crore allocation for PAP canal desilting, which helped restore supply last year. We are seeking the same allocation this year, as irrigation is due for two zones in Thirumoorthy and one in Aliyar," one of them said.
Demand for Annual Allocation
They also sought annual allocation for desilting PAP canals, similar to the yearly funds allotted for Cauvery delta irrigation. "The ministers have assured to look into our demands and take necessary action," Paramasivam said.
