
Farmers' associations seek update on Noyyal river restoration project
They seek to know the outcome of the ₹990 crore project proposed by the Coimbatore and Tiruppur Corporations for restoration of Noyyal river under the 'Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery'.
The project entails 40% contribution by the State government and 60% from National River Restoration Fund, managed by the Ministry of Jal Sakthi. The project is supposed to be implemented under the Ministry's National Mission for Clean Ganga.
Noyyal, a tributary of Cauvery river, was brought under the river restoration project along with Adyar, Cooum, Vaigai and Vennar rivers in Tamil Nadu.
The works proposed include collection, transportation and treatment of municipal sewage, river front development, low-cost sanitation, electric crematoria, and improved wood-based crematoria.
After taking stock of the extent of pollution in the Noyyal flowing through Coimbatore city on Friday, president of the Coordination Committee of All Farmers' Associations of Tamil Nadu and coordinator of the Samyuktha Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) P.R. Pandian said the once majestic river originating in the hills has now been reduced to a sewage channel.
Industrial effluent and sewage have caused the risk of spread of infectious diseases.
Safeguarding of the river was vital for the upkeep of the health of the residents in the city. There was also the risk of groundwater depletion due to the neglect of the river, Mr. Pandian said, urging the State government to rope in industrialists to develop a masterplan for protecting the river.
In the recent meeting of the grievances redress session for farmers, the district unit of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam made a representation to the district administration seeking update on the massive project proposed to be undertaken by the Central and State governments for restoration of the river.
Just as the Noyyal river in the South of Coimbatore, the Kaushika river in North Coimbatore must also be given importance for restoration in the interests of the several thousands of farmers with small holdings, district unit president of Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam N. Dhandapani and secretary G. Ranganathan emphasised.
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