Over 500 farmers staged a road blockade on the Coimbatore-Madurai highway near Ponnaburam Division in Dharapuram, disrupting traffic and demanding the opening of the PAP canal for water supply.
Coimbatore: Over 500 farmers from Dharapuram and surrounding areas like Gundadam, Rudhravathi, Chengalpaliyam, and Kanapathipalayam protested on the Coimbatore-Madurai highway near Ponnaburam Division, demanding immediate water supply through the PAP canal. The farmers, who had been promised water since March 27, have not received the second round of water supply, leading to severe distress as their crops are at risk of failing.
The escalating situation comes after repeated requests and a formal complaint to the Gundadam Public Works Department, which went unheeded. Farmers, reliant on the first round of water supply for their crops, find themselves unable to continue cultivation due to the lack of water. Yesterday, about 100 farmers gathered at the Public Works Office in Palladam seeking an urgent resolution. After a long wait without any officials attending to their concerns, the SDO of the Public Works Department arrived to assure immediate action, which briefly dispersed the gathering.
However, the issue remains unresolved, prompting today's major protest which led to significant transportation disruptions, affecting local commuters, including college students hoping to catch buses for their classes. Some farmers assisted three students by driving them to Palladam bus station to ensure they reached their destination safely. The blockade lasted about an hour, causing considerable upheaval and drawing attention to the farmers' plight.
The escalating situation comes after repeated requests and a formal complaint to the Gundadam Public Works Department, which went unheeded. Farmers, reliant on the first round of water supply for their crops, find themselves unable to continue cultivation due to the lack of water. Yesterday, about 100 farmers gathered at the Public Works Office in Palladam seeking an urgent resolution. After a long wait without any officials attending to their concerns, the SDO of the Public Works Department arrived to assure immediate action, which briefly dispersed the gathering.
However, the issue remains unresolved, prompting today's major protest which led to significant transportation disruptions, affecting local commuters, including college students hoping to catch buses for their classes. Some farmers assisted three students by driving them to Palladam bus station to ensure they reached their destination safely. The blockade lasted about an hour, causing considerable upheaval and drawing attention to the farmers' plight.