The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : A reservoir that turned an irritant instead of irrigating arid areas

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Monday, Sep 20, 2010
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

A reservoir that turned an irritant instead of irrigating arid areas

Staff Reporter

KARUR: The reservoir constructed across river Nankanchi in the district with the lofty purpose of irrigating arid parts of Karur and Dindigul districts has turned into an irritant for the farming community. Not only are the farmers left high and dry as the reservoir is not serving their purpose, those among them who had handed over lands for the project are yet to get their due 28 years after acquisition was made.

In 1962, when the then Chief Minister K. Kamraj was touring Aravakurichi area in Karur district, farmers had petitioned him for the reservoir across the river. The plan was initiated for the reservoir, but the foundation stone for the project was laid only in 1990. At that time, fields were acquired from farmers at an approximate cost of Rs.10,000 for laying canals and for constructing the reservoir at an outlay of Rs.20 crore by the DMK regime.

Finally, the construction of the Nankanchi reservoir was completed in 2008. It was said that an estimated 2,500 acres in Dindigul district and another 3,500 acres in Karur district would be benefited by the scheme. The reservoir water spread covers over 400 acres.

However, Ayacutdars and farmers in the area complain that work on the reservoir's sub canal or water course remains unfinished. There are definite problems in the outlet channels, they allege, pointing out that water is not gushing out of the reservoir sluices properly. The four canals that run to a length of eight km each need repair all through, they add.

The reservoir was in the limelight for the wrong reasons in 1996 when a commission of enquiry was constituted to determine acts of omission and commission and loss caused to the exchequer. The public have been kept in the dark on the findings of the Commission, points out the State Propaganda Secretary of the Tamilaga Vivasyigal Sangam Kurumbapatti A. Vasudevan.

“Water is contained in only 100 acres of the originally envisaged 400 acres of water spread. Wild growth and water absorbent plantations abound on the remaining part rendering the reservoir a waste,'' he points out.

As for the issue of land acquisition, around 200 farmers parted with their land for the project and they were promised compensation of Rs.69 lakh. However, they have received only 40 per cent. The remaining amount is yet to be distributed say the agonised farmers. “We are neither getting water nor the promised compensation. We lost our prized lands for practically nothing. We are contemplating a course of action for reclaiming our lands,” said an affected farmer of Aravakurichi area.

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