TN: Water shortage hits PAP tail-end farmers in Tiruppur; illegal diversion suspected

• Farmers in Tiruppur have alleged illegal diversion of PAP irrigation water through underground pipelines, unauthorised connections and borewells, affecting supplies to tail-end agricultural areas

• Water released from Thirumoorthy Dam took nearly 70 hours to reach the tail-end regions, against the usual 24 hours. The Vellakovil branch canal received only 122 cusecs against the promised 141 cusecs

• Farmers have demanded strict action and better monitoring. Water Resources Department officials inspected the canal, while authorities said surveillance had been intensified to prevent water theft

Farmers in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruppur district have raised concerns over alleged large-scale illegal diversion of irrigation water under the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP), claiming that unauthorised extraction has severely affected supplies to agricultural lands in tail-end areas.

Farmers dependent on the Vellakovil branch canal have sought immediate government intervention, alleging that illegal pipelines, unauthorised connections and borewells along the canal network are depriving their fields of their rightful share of irrigation water.

The issue came to the fore following the release of water from Thirumoorthy Dam on Thursday for the second irrigation zone under the project. Farmers said the water took nearly 70 hours to reach the tail-end regions, where the supply remained inadequate. Normally, water reaches these areas within 24 hours of its release, they claimed.

The farmers also flagged a significant shortfall in the quantity of water supplied to the Vellakovil branch canal. According to agricultural representatives, authorities had assured an allocation of 141 cubic feet per second (cusecs) for the second-zone irrigation schedule, against the earlier allocation of 131 cusecs. However, the actual inflow recorded on Saturday was only 122 cusecs.

Seeking an explanation for the shortfall, farmers accused the joint monitoring committee of failing to prevent unauthorised water extraction through underground pipelines, illegal canal connections and borewells. They demanded strict action against those responsible and continuous monitoring of the distribution network.

Following the complaints, Water Resources Department officials inspected the head of the Vellakovil branch canal at Illiyampudur on Saturday to assess the water flow and examine possible irregularities.

Farmers from the affected areas gathered at the site and questioned officials over the inadequate supply. The issue also led to discussions involving revenue officials, Water Resources Department personnel and Kangeyam police.

Officials acknowledged the complaints and said corrective measures were being taken. They also maintained that the joint monitoring committee had stepped up surveillance under the district administration's directions to prevent water theft.

Farmers, however, maintained that stronger enforcement and regular inspections were necessary to ensure that the water released under the PAP reached the intended agricultural areas without unauthorised diversion.

With IANS inputs