Tamil Nadu - Others   

Ryots seek steps to check pollution of Noyyal

Staff Reporter

They want Rs.80-lakh scheme implemented to prevent flow of contaminated water into their channels

KARUR: The Pugalur Channel ayacutdars in Karur district have called upon the State Government to expeditiously implement the proposed

Rs. 80-lakh scheme to prevent flowing of polluted water of the Noyyal river into their channel to protect their crops and fields.

The Pugalur Channel branches off the Cauvery near the Jedarpalayam Bed Regulator to irrigate over 20,000 acres of once-fertile lands in the registered and expanded ayacut in Karur district. Principal crops raised include the betel vine, sugarcane, banana and in some area "korai'' (reed grass) used in mat weaving.

After flowing for a few miles, the channel "falls into'' Noyyal and crosses it on the other side to proceed to a total length of 21 miles and feed fields up to Sevanthipalayam.

The channel divides into Popular Mudaliar Channel and the Palla Vaikkal at Sembadapalayam. It was smooth sailing all along for the fertile ayacut till the dyeing and bleaching units of Tirupur started dumping effluent, treated or otherwise, into Noyyal. The pollution that has been going on for over two decades is said to affect areas up to Kulithalai.

At Noyyal village, where the Pugalur Channel crosses Noyyal, the effluent-mixed water from the Orathupalayam reservoir across the Noyyal enters the Pugalur Channel polluting the channel ayacut.

Cash crops and fertile fields have been irreparably spoiled over the years. "For no fault of ours, we are suffering,'' says R. Karuppa Goundar, a betel vine farmer near Pugalur.

Every time, elected representatives assure us to deliver a permanent solution but have failed to do so, he adds.

After numerous petitions and innumerable promises, a scheme to find a permanent solution to the vexed issue was proposed.

Estimated to cost Rs. 80 lakh, the scheme envisages construction of an inverted siphon across the Noyyal to convey unpolluted water into the Pugalur Channel.

Though all impediments have been cleared, the project is hanging fire.

Now the farmers expect that he act on the promise expeditiously as one more season with pollution affecting their crops would mean yet another loss running to crores of rupees.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Federation of SHGs to be set up
Ryots seek steps to check pollution of Noyyal
Regularisation scheme: 8,000 families to benefit
Blood storage facilities planned
Armed gang frees Sri Lankan prisoners
Insurance cover for groundnut growers
Eight child labourers rescued
You can now file IT returns at the post office
Interest: TEA seeks exemption
Wardens placed under suspension
Farmer struck dead by lightning

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu