Coimbatore: Activists and environmentalists from Mettupalayam and adjoining areas have accused that untreated effluents continues to be discharged in the Bhavani river and the government has miserably failed to protect the river which is the perennial source of water for Coimbatore and Tirupur district for drinking and irrigational purpose.
Coimbatore: Activists and environmentalists from Mettupalayam and adjoining areas have accused that untreated effluents continues to be discharged in the Bhavani river and the government has miserably failed to protect the river which is the perennial source of water for Coimbatore and Tirupur district for drinking and irrigational purpose.
Irked by the fight for two decades to protect the river, the activists alleged that stringent measures could have helped to control the increasing pollution level in the Bhavani river.
Three days ago, several political parties including social activists and farmers association in Mettupalayam wrote a letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy seeking intervention to stop the decision to draw water for Tirupur from Bhavani river in the newly proposed 4th scheme.
The decision to draw water from Bhavani river to Tiruppur has gone well among the residents, activists and farmers from the region, who point that withdrawal of water to Tirupur will result in scarcity of water supply distribution from the existing pumping outlets.
Adding to their woes, they claim that the decision would also increase waterborne diseases already prevalent, after untreated sewage from local bodies and harmful effluents, chemicals are discharged into the river from industries.
According to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), the water in Bhavani river was labelled as unfit for drinking purposes, as it contains toxic effluents.
While the issue stills remains unaddressed, residents and activists fear that the decision to draw water to Tiruppur might lead them to drink sewage water in the coming months.
In a letter to Edappadi K Palaniswamy by A.E. Duraisamy, Head of Bhavani River Farmers Association has mentioned that the decision to draw water from Bhavani river to Tiruppur should be done from Sirumugai region. He cited that there are almost fifty lakh people benefiting from this river and it would help furthermore people only if the decision to draw water is made from Sirumugai area.
He noted that there are as many as 16 pumping outlets in Bhavani river. In 2001, two barrages at Samayapuram and Omapalayam were set up by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to generate power.
As of now, drinking water for Mettupalayam and Tirupur is drawn near the first barrage at Samayapuram. While for Avinashi, Annur, Sulur and Sirumugai water is collected near Omapalayam barrage. However, the pollutants have been dumped in between these two barrages, he accused.
Seconding him, Jeyakumar from Bhavani river trust said the demand to protect the river fall has fallen on deaf years.
Sources in Municipality said that steps are being taken to protect and prevent the river from pollution."Once, the ongoing underground drainage project is complete, the issue would be largely resolved", the source added.
Contrary to the statement, another source from PWD said that underground project completion will differ based on the location and condition. As most of the places are undulating, it demands extra attention and time during execution.There may not be 100% result in terms of reducing pollution to the river, even if the project is completed", the source added.
Distressed over the continual denial of the government to pay heed to their demands to protect the Bhavani river, the farmers and activists have expressed deep concern for the deteriorating river.
Irked by the fight for two decades to protect the river, the activists alleged that stringent measures could have helped to control the increasing pollution level in the Bhavani river.
Three days ago, several political parties including social activists and farmers association in Mettupalayam wrote a letter to Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy seeking intervention to stop the decision to draw water for Tirupur from Bhavani river in the newly proposed 4th scheme.
The decision to draw water from Bhavani river to Tiruppur has gone well among the residents, activists and farmers from the region, who point that withdrawal of water to Tirupur will result in scarcity of water supply distribution from the existing pumping outlets.
Adding to their woes, they claim that the decision would also increase waterborne diseases already prevalent, after untreated sewage from local bodies and harmful effluents, chemicals are discharged into the river from industries.
According to Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB), the water in Bhavani river was labelled as unfit for drinking purposes, as it contains toxic effluents.
While the issue stills remains unaddressed, residents and activists fear that the decision to draw water to Tiruppur might lead them to drink sewage water in the coming months.
In a letter to Edappadi K Palaniswamy by A.E. Duraisamy, Head of Bhavani River Farmers Association has mentioned that the decision to draw water from Bhavani river to Tiruppur should be done from Sirumugai region. He cited that there are almost fifty lakh people benefiting from this river and it would help furthermore people only if the decision to draw water is made from Sirumugai area.
He noted that there are as many as 16 pumping outlets in Bhavani river. In 2001, two barrages at Samayapuram and Omapalayam were set up by the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to generate power.
As of now, drinking water for Mettupalayam and Tirupur is drawn near the first barrage at Samayapuram. While for Avinashi, Annur, Sulur and Sirumugai water is collected near Omapalayam barrage. However, the pollutants have been dumped in between these two barrages, he accused.
Seconding him, Jeyakumar from Bhavani river trust said the demand to protect the river fall has fallen on deaf years.
Sources in Municipality said that steps are being taken to protect and prevent the river from pollution."Once, the ongoing underground drainage project is complete, the issue would be largely resolved", the source added.
Contrary to the statement, another source from PWD said that underground project completion will differ based on the location and condition. As most of the places are undulating, it demands extra attention and time during execution.There may not be 100% result in terms of reducing pollution to the river, even if the project is completed", the source added.
Distressed over the continual denial of the government to pay heed to their demands to protect the Bhavani river, the farmers and activists have expressed deep concern for the deteriorating river.