Latest news with #ParambikulamAliyarProject
The Hindu
16-06-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Association in Pongalur refutes charge of excess water utilisation
Water Users' Association in Pongalur area under Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) main canal project has refuted the charge of excess utilisation levelled by tail-end farmers in Vellakovil-Kangayam. There was no deficiency in water distribution in the branch canals along the stretch from 87th km to the the end of the 124-km main canal, according to M. Deivasigamani, president of the Water Users' Association in Pongalur area. In the third-zone wetting to irrigate 93734 acres, the acreage in irrigational area in Pongalur division encompasses 17,801 acres, while Palladam and Vellakovil-Kangayam branch canals irrigate 3,254 acres and 12,000 acres respectively. 'Factoring in distribution/evaporation losses, the Water Resources Department has been letting in 31 cusecs above the mandated extent of 100 cusecs at 4.5 Full Scale Deflection (FSD) into the Vellakovil branch canal for 15 days since January 2022,' Mr. Deivasigamani claimed. The contention of the tail-end farmers is that the dynamics of water flow at the 108th km in Andipalayam reading point and the extent of accrual at the starting point of Vellakovil branch canal is not in conformity with the claim. At times of less rainfall, the Water Resources Department ought to follow the pattern under practice in all other canals for ensuring reach to the ayacut in tail-end areas. The issue of lesser water realisation in tail-end areas consisting of additional ayacut that had been included in an originally-specified project area was perennial in canal-irrigation pattern, Mr. Deivasigamani explained. In the PAP main canal, there was hope, by and large, among farmers downstream that the issue of excess utilisation by farmers along the upper course will be addressed decisively when the impending modernisation works are carried out by the Water Resources Department, Mr. Deivasigamani said.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Farmers of Kangeyam-Vellakovil at tail-end of PAP Main Canal allege excess tapping of water in Pongalur Sub-Division, demand legal action as per High Court directives
Alleging excess tapping of water in contravention of High Court directive in the upstream, the PAP (Parambikulam Aliyar Project) Vellakovil Branch Canal (Kangayam-Vellakovil) Water Conservation Association has submitted a petition to the Revenue Divisional Officer of Tiruppur South, seeking action. Citing the Madras High Court's orders issued during 2023 and 2017, president of the association P. Velusamy said in his petition submitted to the Revenue Department authorities that water flowing through the Parambikulam Main Canal from the Andipalayam measurement point must be equitably distributed between the Pongalur and Kangeyam sub-divisions, after accounting for dewatering losses, based on the proportion of their respective irrigation areas. Any deviation from this constitutes contempt of court. Despite repeated representations and complaints submitted to the relevant authorities through various channels, no effective action had been taken, Mr. Velusamy said. In the water release effected currently for the third zone, nearly three times (3/4) of the total water (158.775 mcft) is being allocated to the Pongalur sub-division, while only 1/4 of water (56.15 mcft) is reaching the Kangeyam sub-division. 'We have consistently highlighted the importance of balanced irrigation to both the district administration and the PAP authorities, yet the issue remains unaddressed,' Mr. Velusamy said. Downstream of PAP Andipalayam reading point, Pongalur sub-division was allotted 245 cusecs for 4,000 acres over a period of seven-and-a-half days. Whereas, Kangeyam sub-division received only 125 cusecs for just five days, despite having the same acreage under cultivation, he explained. As a consequence, Kangeyam and Vellakovil where rainfall was minimal were experiencing drought conditions. Despite favourable court verdicts, the authorities failed to take meaningful action. In the PAP case in 2023, the High Court had emphasised that 'equal distribution of water to all eligible ayacutdars is of paramount importance.' In 2015, the High Court had noted that 'corrupt activities, collusion of public authorities, either actively and passively cannot be overruled. Once the government officials are found in collusion, they are to be prosecuted for the offence of abetment, under IPC along with the offenders of the Commission of theft.' The Assistant Executive Engineer of Pongalur Sub-Division caused contempt of the aforementioned court orders, and hence, legal action must be taken, the petition said. Copies of the petition were also addressed to the Chief Secretary of Government of Tamil Nadu, senior officials of WRO, District Collector, Superintendent of Police, president of Monitoring Committee for PAP in Dharapuram, Tiruppur DRO and Kangeyam Tahsildar.
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Abundant storage in Thirumoorthy Dam raises hopes among farmers for water adequacy in tail-end areas of PAP Main Canal
: The early onset of Southwest monsoon this year that has resulted in impressive storage in Thirumoorthy Dam has infused hope among farmers in the tail-end areas of the PAP (Parambikulam Aliyar Project) Main Canal fed by the dam that there will be a change in the 'artificial drought conditions' caused hitherto by inadequate realisation of water in the canal. At a recent meeting to discuss the issue, the farmers arrived at a decision to stage prolonged protests if the Water Resource Department fails to channel water to a height of 4.8 feet (from the existing 4.5 feet) at the zero point of Vellakovil branch canal. Out of 2300 mcft (million cubic feet) drawn from the dam for supply through PAP main canal, the water distribution for Vellakoil branch should be one-eighth. Even if 20% of water transmission loss is factored in, the realisation has to be not less than 230 mcft at the zero point. 'But, the water realisation is only 170 mcft. This is not sufficient. At some locations in tail-end areas, water flow does not last even for two days. There is severe shortage of water for livestock, drinking purpose and irrigation,' P. Velusamy, president of PAP Vellakoil Branch Canal Water Conservation Movement said. The farmers hope the Water Resources Department will deploy better water management methods this time around with abundant water in the Thirumoorthy Dam. Against the full depth of 60 feet, the level in the dam rose up to 53.92 ft on Wednesday. The storage was 1483 mcft against capacity of 1744. Against inflow of 252 cusecs, discharge of 1160 cusecs was maintained. At the same day last year, the level was 31.1 feet and storage was 680 mcft. Also, the usable storage of the system dams of Parambikulam Aliyar Project was estimated at 7269.92 mcft by the Water Resources Department, on Wednesday. Official sources said the State Government has been promised funds by the Union Ministry of Jal Sakthi under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP). Phase II and III, co-financed by the World Bank and the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank. Thirumoorthy Dam figures among 145 out of 736 dams proposed in the two phases that are more than 60 years old.
New Indian Express
06-05-2025
- New Indian Express
Police step up canal patrolling in western Tamil Nadu after elderly couple's murder
COIMBATORE: Following the murder of an elderly couple living alone in a farmhouse in Erode district recently, the state police department has increased the patrolling units along irrigation canals, as suspects are believed to be using such channels passing through farmland to reach their target. Covering the districts of Tiruppur, Erode, and Coimbatore, which rely on major irrigation projects such as the Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP), Lower Bhavani Project (LBP), and Noyyal River irrigation channels, the police have increased their canal-based patrolling units from 39 to 82. Due to the high number of isolated farmhouses in these western districts and purportedly similar methods (intruding into their target house using the canal route) deployed in previous crimes, the police are zeroing in on the rural areas of Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore, all of which fall under the Coimbatore Range in the West Zone. 'A number of farmlands are linked to these three major irrigation projects, and the water distribution canals passing through them could have been used by the burglars to reach their target. To address this, we had initiated canal-based beat patrolling in Erode and Tiruppur districts four months ago and established teams in Coimbatore as preventive measures. The patrol teams concentrate on routes along the irrigation networks. Following the recent double murder in Erode, we have doubled the personnel in these patrol teams,' said a senior police officer from the range. According to police sources, Tiruppur district, which has approximately 80 km of irrigation network, has seen its beat patrolling units grow from 23 to 35.
