Arguing that diverting Aliyar dam waters to Oddanchathriam would adversely affect the prospects of the farmers and the 4.25 lakh acres of cultivable lands, the farmers urged the govt to revoke the GO.
Tirupur: Protesting against the move to supply water to Oddanchathiram from Aliyar dam and demanding to cancel the Government order (GO) passed to this effect, the farmers attached to the Anaimalaiyaru- Nallaru Iyakkam, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam (Non political) and Yermunai Iyakkam staged an agitation at Palladam PWD office, here today.
Arguing that diverting Aliyar dam waters to Oddanchathriam would adversely affect the prospects of the farmers and the 4.25 lakh acres of cultivable lands, said the farmers who are benefitting from Aliyar and Thirumurthi dams, under the Parambikulam- Aliyar project.
While Tamil Nadu is getting only 24 TMC of water instead of the allocated 30.5 TMC. Out of this, 3 TMC is utilised fordrinking water purpose and the rest of 19 TMC is only utilised for irrigating 4.25 lakh acres, they noted.
While the government has cancelled two combined water supply schemes from Cauvery river to Oddachathiram and opted to draw and divert waters from Aliyar dam, the farmers stated that the project would be highly inimical to the interest of the farmers. Hence, appealed that to revoke the GO and expedite the implementation of Annamalai Nallaru project.
The PAP project the old ayacut is allocated 2.44 TMC and Kerala 7.15 TMC, which has been in vogue since colonial times. Any changes in this will affect the irrigation of the region.
While scarcity of water continues to hit agriculture, further reduction in water supply for irrigation will worsen the situation, they noted.