Farmers in Sulur have once again raised their demand for the desilting of two irrigation tanks that, they claim, have not been cleaned for over five decades. They accuse the water resources department (WRD) of ignoring repeated petitions and proposing a plan that could worsen water scarcity in the region.
Farmers' Concerns Over Desilting Order
Members of the Katchi Sarbatra Vivasayikal Sangam expressed alarm over the WRD's decision to begin desilting the Periyakulam, the larger of the two tanks. They insist that the Chinnakulam should be taken up first to ensure equitable water distribution.
R Ravikumar, Sulur city secretary of the farmers' association, highlighted the critical role of these tanks. The 100-acre Periyakulam and the 80-acre Chinnakulam, located near Sulur railway feeder road, are vital for recharging wells and groundwater within a 15-kilometer radius. More than 1,000 acres of farmland, primarily cultivating coconut and maize, depend on these tanks, which receive water from the Noyyal river via the Ravathur check dam through the Rajavaikal (royal canal).
Impact of Sewage Pollution
For the past 20 years, sewage discharged into the Noyyal has been flowing into the tanks, leading to the accumulation of polluted water. Farmers allege that this has adversely affected groundwater quality, agriculture, and livestock. Ravikumar stated that farmers have been urging the government for over 15 years to desilt both tanks and prevent sewage from being stored in them.
Last year, Rajkumar, a resident of Sulur, submitted a petition to the chief minister's cell seeking immediate intervention. In response, the WRD stated that desilting could not be carried out during the rainy season as the tanks were full, making the work difficult.
Allegations of Favoritism
M Muthusamy, president of the association's Sulur unit, said farmers were angered by the repeated explanations. He alleged that even during summer, the tanks were kept filled with corporation sewage water, supposedly to benefit fishermen.
The issue escalated in February when the WRD initiated steps to desilt the Periyakulam first. Farmers objected, arguing that desilting the upper-reach tank before the Chinnakulam could leave the smaller tank dry, adversely affecting nearby farmers, residents, and cattle, especially during the summer season. They urged the department to first desilt the Chinnakulam, then refill it from the Periyakulam before taking up work on the larger tank.
WRD's Response
M Sivakumar, assistant executive engineer of the WRD, said that CSR funds had been sanctioned for desilting the Periyakulam, but the work was halted following objections from farmers and the enforcement of the election code. He added that the department plans to hold talks with farmers to find a solution to the long-pending issue.
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