Tamil Nadu farmers allege water theft and insufficient supply in PAP areas
Farmers in the tail-end regions of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project claim water reached areas 70 hours after being released from the dam.
Farmers from the tail-end of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) in Tiruppur complained on Saturday that they have not received an adequate water supply. According to The New Indian Express, the farmers alleged that water theft is the reason for the shortfall despite water being released from the Thirumoorthy Dam on Thursday for the second zone.
S Vijayasekaran, treasurer of the PAP Welfare Association, said that water used to reach tail-end areas within 24 hours, but it only reached the Vellakovil branch canal after 70 hours. He stated that authorities have failed to prevent water theft and called for appropriate action.
P Velusamy, president of the PAP Vellakoil Branch Canal Water Conservation Movement, said the inflow on Saturday was only 122 cusecs, despite officials recently assuring an allocation of 141 cusecs. He claimed water theft is rampant in the PAP system.
GV Vivekanandan, secretary of the PAP Welfare Association, alleged that the joint monitoring committee has not taken action against unauthorised pipeline crossings, underground pipelines, or miscreants digging side borewells near canals.
Following the complaints, water resources department officials inspected the Vellakovil branch canal starting point in Illiyampudur on Saturday. Farmers led by Velusamy reached the spot to question the officials and urge them to ensure adequate supply.
A Felix Raja, RDO of Dharapuram and Chairman of the PAP Joint Monitoring Committee (Dharapuram division), said water has reached the tail-end areas but acknowledged complaints regarding insufficient levels. He stated that WRD officials are taking steps and the committee is conducting intensive surveillance to prevent water theft as per district collector instructions.