Desilting of Sulur tanks delayed for decades, farmers oppose WRD plan

COIMBATORE: Farmers in Sulur have renewed their demand for desilting two irrigation tanks that, they say, have not been cleaned for more than 50 years, accusing the water resources department (WRD) of ignoring repeated petitions and proposing a plan that could worsen water scarcity.

Members of the Katchi Sarbatra Vivasayikal Sangam said the WRD’s move to begin desilting the Periyakulam, the larger of the two tanks, has alarmed farmers, who want the Chinnakulam to be taken up first.

R Ravikumar, Sulur city secretary of the farmers’ association, said the 100acre Periyakulam and the 80acre Chinnakulam, located near Sulur railway feeder road, play a crucial role in recharging wells and groundwater in a 15km radius. More than 1,000 acres of farmland cultivating coconut and maize depend on the tanks, which receive water from the Noyyal river through Ravathur check dam through the Rajavaikal (royal canal).

However, for the past 20 years, sewage discharged into the Noyyal has been flowing into the tanks, resulting in the accumulation of polluted water and affecting groundwater quality, agriculture and cattle, farmers alleged.

Ravikumar said farmers have been urging the govt for more than 15 years to desilt both tanks and stop sewage from being stored there. Last year, Rajkumar, a resident of Sulur, submitted a petition to the chief minister’s cell seeking immediate intervention. In response, the WRD said desilting could not be carried out during the rainy season and that the tanks were full, making the work difficult.

M Muthusamy, president of the association’s Sulur unit, said farmers were angered by the repeated explanation. He alleged that even during summer, the tanks were kept filled with corporation sewage water, allegedly to benefit fishermen.

The issue intensified in February when the WRD initiated steps to desilt the Periyakulam first. Farmers objected, saying desilting the upper-reach tank before the Chinnakulam could leave the smaller tank dry, affecting nearby farmers, residents and cattle especially difficult which follows the summer.

They urged the department to first desilt the Chinnakulam, then refill it from the Periyakulam before taking up work on the larger tank.

M Sivakumar, assistant executive engineer, WRD, said 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 said the department plans to hold talks with farmers and find a solution to the long-pending issue.