In Coimbatore, farmers are protesting to demand water supply from Aliyar Dam to old Ayakattu irrigation areas. They vow to continue their sit-in until authorities commit to water distribution, essential for paddy cultivation in their 6,400-acre agricultural region.
Coimbatore: Farmers in the region of Coimbatore have launched a protest demanding the release of water from the Aliyar Dam for irrigation purposes in the old Ayakattu areas. These areas, part of the Parambikulam Aliyar Project, provide irrigation facilities to approximately 44,000 acres in new Ayakattu and 6,400 acres in old Ayakattu, primarily for paddy cultivation.
The farmers have stressed the importance of water supply from the Aliyar Dam to the old Ayakattu irrigation areas, especially via the canals of Ariyapuram, Periya Anai, Palli Vizhangal, and Vadakkalur Amman. With the second paddy season underway, the farmers have prepared their fields and begun planting, but are now facing a shortage of water, which they claim is being denied by the authorities.
In a sit-in protest outside the office of the Assistant Engineer of the Water Resources Department, the farmers vowed to disperse only if the Public Works Department and Water Resources Department officials assure water supply to the old Ayakattu areas. Comparing their situation to the neighboring state of Kerala, which receives water, the farmers demanded similar treatment.
Despite talks with the Aliyar police, who assured that the matter would be discussed with the officials, the farmers refused to end their sit-in until a concrete assurance is given. The tension at the Water Resources Department's office continues as the farmers await a positive response.
The farmers have stressed the importance of water supply from the Aliyar Dam to the old Ayakattu irrigation areas, especially via the canals of Ariyapuram, Periya Anai, Palli Vizhangal, and Vadakkalur Amman. With the second paddy season underway, the farmers have prepared their fields and begun planting, but are now facing a shortage of water, which they claim is being denied by the authorities.
In a sit-in protest outside the office of the Assistant Engineer of the Water Resources Department, the farmers vowed to disperse only if the Public Works Department and Water Resources Department officials assure water supply to the old Ayakattu areas. Comparing their situation to the neighboring state of Kerala, which receives water, the farmers demanded similar treatment.
Despite talks with the Aliyar police, who assured that the matter would be discussed with the officials, the farmers refused to end their sit-in until a concrete assurance is given. The tension at the Water Resources Department's office continues as the farmers await a positive response.