Concretization of canal dam: Farmers warn of poll boycott

Farmers in Erode district have decided to stage a series of protests and demonstrations condemning the Union government’s project to concretize the base of Bhavanisagar dam canals. They said the move would have a negative impact on the groundwater level.

The farmers said they were planning to boycott the upcoming state assembly election if both the central and state governments didn’t shelve the project.

The decision was announced by the members of Keel Bhavani Pasana Pathukappu Iyakkam, which convened a meeting at Thalavumalai village near Gobichettipalayam on Thursday. Shanmuga Sundaram, one of its members, told TOI prime minister Narendra Modi had on the day inaugurated the project to concretize the base of Bhavanisagar dam canals at a function in Coimbatore. “Farmers who are dependent on the canals are completely against the project.”

Farmers in Erode, Karur and Tirupur districts benefit from Bhavanisagar dam water. The Lower Bhavani Canal alone irrigates about 2.07 lakh acres spread across three districts. “The canal water is also used for drinking purposes,” said V Ravi, another farmer.

The cost to concretize the base Lower Bhavani Canal is estimated at Rs178 crore.

The farmers said the move would affect early one lakh acres land, which was getting water from the canal through seepage. “The land will become barren when they concretize the canal base,” said Appu Kutty, a farmer. “Crops like turmeric and coconut trees will also get damaged, as the groundwater would deplete.”

The farmers warned of a series of protests if the governments didn’t roll back the project. “We will not allow officials to start civil works,” the farmers said.


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