With the onset of the summer season, the water level in the Aliyar dam is receding. Tourists are surprised to see the bridge and the road constructed during the British era on the dam.
Coimbatore: Tourists were pleasantly surprised to see a British-era bridge in the Aliyar dam near Pollachi in Coimbatore district.
The Aliyar dam near Pollachi has a capacity of 120 feet. Water is being released from this dam for irrigation and drinking purposes. 6,400 acres of land under old ayacut irrigation and 42,000 acres under new ayacut irrigation are irrigated.
The dam reached its full capacity due to last year's monsoon. But since then, the water level in the dam has been decreasing day by day as there has been no rainfall as expected. The water level in the dam has been depleting due to lack of rain and early onset of summer season.
The water level in the dam has come down to 65 feet by 8 am on Friday. As the water level in the dam is receding, farmers are worried. As the water level in the dam has receded, the bridge built during the British period and the tar road laid to reach Valparai are visible outside.
Now that the water level is falling, the bridge and the tar road of the British era are visible on the outside. Even after 100 years, the bridge and the tar road still look the same. The tourists stand on the Valparai road and enjoy it.
In 1897, the British decided to construct a road to the hilly region of Valparai before constructing the Aliyar dam. Lom was appointed by the then British government to construct a road along the rugged mountain road.
Subsequently, in 1903, when the road work was completed, the road was inaugurated by Lord Amble, Governor of Madras Presidency. The road was constructed from Aliyar to Sirukundra via Barala.
Before the construction of the dam, the inflow of water on this route would be more during the rainy season. As traffic was affected due to this, bridges were constructed. Water was allowed to flow into the lower part of the bridge.
People used this route to reach Valparai. After independence, during the rule of Kamaraj, they planned to construct a dam to irrigate pollachi region. Accordingly, the dam was constructed in 1962.
There were a few villages in the dam area and a road leading to Valparai. Subsequently, an alternative route was constructed to reach Valparai. It is also said that the people who lived there were also given alternative accommodation.
In this situation, if the Aliyar dam is full, the bridge built during the British period will be submerged in water. When the water level goes down, the bridge and road of the British era will be visible outside the road.
Now that the water level has receded, the public and tourists are surprised to see the bridge and the road outside.