Farmers in Coimbatore district submit petition to Collector, objecting to Electricity Board's plans to install high-tension power towers on their lands without permission, potentially damaging crops and livelihoods.
Coimbatore: Farmers from several villages in Perur taluk of Coimbatore district have petitioned the District Collector, expressing strong objections to the Electricity Board's plans to install high-tension power towers on their agricultural lands without proper consent.
The affected villages include Madhampatti, Mel Sithara Savadi, Thenamanallur, Pooluvapatti, Alandurai, Mathuvarayapuram, and Semmadu. According to S. Palanisamy, President of the Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association, the Electricity Board is planning to erect high-tension towers through farmlands and along the banks of the Noyyal River.
Palanisamy stated that the Electricity Board has not provided a detailed explanation of the power line route. Despite this, board officials have reportedly been pressuring farmers to clear their crops immediately, threatening them over phone calls. This sudden installation of power towers could significantly impact farmers' lands and potentially cause economic losses running into lakhs of rupees.
The farmers are particularly concerned about the long-term cash crops currently growing on their lands, including areca nut, coconut, turmeric, banana, and chili. The abrupt demand to remove these crops has left many farmers distressed and worried about their livelihoods.
Additionally, the plan to install high-tension towers along the Noyyal River bank is seen as problematic. Farmers believe this could hinder efforts to reclaim encroached areas of the river and impede the smooth flow of water during flood seasons.
The Tamil Nadu Farmers' Association suspects that this project is being implemented to benefit private companies at the expense of agricultural lands and the Noyyal River ecosystem. They have urged the Collector to intervene and ensure that the Electricity Board abandons the plan to install power towers without farmers' consent.
When approached for comment, the Collector reportedly stated that he was unaware of the survey being conducted without prior notice. Farmers are now calling for a meeting chaired by the District Collector, where the Electricity Board can explain the project's objectives to the affected farmers. They insist that the project should not proceed without the farmers' permission, in accordance with legal regulations.
As tensions rise, all eyes are on the Electricity Board to see if they will adhere to the legal requirements and obtain proper consent from farmers before proceeding with the high-tension power line project.