Parched villagers want Palar water diverted to Thekkupattu tank

Ambalur Youth Association president, AS Dilliraji told DT Next that although the Tirupattur and Vaniyambadi municipalities, Natrampalli town panchayat, Tirupattur Cooperative sugar mill at Kethandapatti and Jolarpettai railway station all drew water from the Palar river flowing near their village, while the Thekkupattu irrigation tank, which has an ayacut of over 500 acres, has not received a single drop, despite the local area receiving copious rain. “Our lake received no water though we received good rain,” he said and added that continuous

drawing of water by these local bodies has resulted in ground water level falling to nearly 1000 feet in the locality. AN Gokul, association secretary, added, “We have been unable to undertake full scale farming operations in the area for nearly a decade; now, we are also suffering from drinking water scarcity.” 

Elaborating, Dilliraji said, “The pipeline which formerly carried water to Tirupattur is now unused, as the town is now provided water through the Mettur and south Pennar drinking water schemes. As this line goes near the irrigation tank, and is also equipped with powerful motors, this line can be used to divert water to the irrigation tank, to meet our agriculture and drinking water needs.” AP Karthikeyan, association treasurer added that if officials did so, “ A turn system could be followed by local farmers to raise crops, as a full tank will recharge open wells and bore wells in the locality.” Dilliraj added, 

“Our needs will be served if the Vellore Collector sanctions money for Tirupattur municipality to pay its EB dues which will help the motor to run.” When asked for their reaction, officials said the matter would be looked into, as not much change was necessary and was also quite feasible.