Latest news with #Athikadavu-Avinashi
New Indian Express
16 hours ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Bhavani water eludes several ponds under Athikadavu-Avinashi project
TIRUPPUR/ERODE: Even as a few dams have been opened in the state in the last few days following ample rain in their catchment areas several water bodies which are relied upon by farmers are dry. A section of the farmers mull a protest as water has eluded several ponds under the Athikadavu-Avinashi project despite the opening of the Lower Bhavani Dam (Bhavani Sagar Dam) the other day. "Many water bodies in the village panchayats, including Nambiyampalayam, Thekkalur, Karuvalur, Pudupalayam, Uppilipalayam, and Kittampalam, are dry," stated S Thangamuthu, a farmer and coordinator of the Athikadavu-Avinashi Project Agitation Committee, from Thekkalur. "After many decades of struggle, the Athikadavu-Avinashi project came into operation last year. However, in many places, water bodies are still not receiving enough water. In some places, water is not reaching the ponds," he added. "We complained to the officials several times regarding this. But no action has been taken. At present, excess water from the Bhavani Sagar Dam has been released into the river. About 16,700 cusecs of excess water was released on Monday. Even then, there is no water supply to the ponds in our area. We face drought even though the project is operational. We are preparing to mobilise farmers in this regard and launch a series of protests soon." K Balraj, a farmer of Cheyur village, said, "Water bodies in major cities and villages are filled by this scheme. But authorities are not concerned about water bodies in remote villages. Many water bodies in our area are without sufficient water. Authorities are biased in water distribution. This will definitely bring disrepute to the government among farmers and the public." However, a senior official of the Water Resources Department (WRD) for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project (Avinashi Division) told TNIE that these issues will be resolved in a few days.
Time of India
15-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Abandoned well recharged; Paduvampalli panchayat can now save Rs 90,000 every two months
Photo by P Sreedharan COIMBATORE: An abandoned open well at Rayarpalayam near Sulur has been recharged after nearly five decades through collaborative efforts. People no longer need to depend on two 1,000-foot-deep borewells, as the revived open well now provides sufficient water supply at just 100 feet. The well has become a significant electricity saver for both the Paduvampalli panchayat panchayat administration and the farmers in the area. The open well is situated in the Rayarpalayam Rangasamuthiram lake. The lake is being desilted by Kousika Neerkarangal, an NGO, in collaboration with Pioneer Fertilizers which extended its corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding. According to the NGO, the lake is among the 1,230 water bodies recharged through the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. Due to depleted groundwater in the locality, the open well had dried up and was subsequently used as a garbage disposal pit for almost three decades. Paduvampalli village had previously installed two 1,000-foot borewells to supply water to the public. Balakrishnan, secretary of the agriculture wing at Kousika Neerkarangal, said, 'The lake has received water from the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. As a result, the well has been naturally recharged over the last eight months. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like An engineer reveals: One simple trick to get internet without a subscription Techno Mag Learn More Undo The 120-foot well maintains a minimum water level of 50 feet.' 'Previously, the panchayat had installed two 7.5 HP pump sets that ran continuously to supply approximately 90,000 litre of water to around 1,500 people. The daily electricity consumption was approximately 264 units, costing the panchayat roughly Rs 1.2 lakh every two months. After desilting the well and installing new motor, starter, and pipelines connected to village tanks, the electricity bill has reduced by approximately Rs 30,000 every two months,' he added. According to Shanmugavadivel, a local farmer, the total dissolved solids (TDS) levels in the borewell were comparatively high and impacted crop yields. He said, 'My well was also recharged because of the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. Earlier, the borewell water was tasteless and salty, resulting in lower crop yields. In the last six months, after using the well water, I have noticed an improvement in crop yields and crop quality. The water department collected and tested samples, confirming that TDS levels in the borewell were higher than in the well.' The NGO will hand over the operations of the well to the panchayat on Wednesday for regular water supply to the village.
New Indian Express
15-07-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Abandoned open well in TN turns model for sustainable water management
COIMBATORE: An abandoned open well located within a waterbody at Rayarpalayam near Sulur in the district has become a model for an economical water distribution system, thanks to the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharge project. The waterbody conservation forum 'Kousika Neerkarangal' revived the well, establishing it as a primary groundwater source for the village, while replacing the previous borewell supply. The NGO claims that the open well can save around 220 units of electricity each day and around Rs 1 lakh in electricity costs every two months when compared to the conventional borewell water supply. The well was found a month ago while desilting the Rangasamuthiram Lake- a tank spanning around 25 acres in the Pathuvampalli village panchayat of Sulur taluk. "The well is located at the northwest corner of the tank and is one of the 1,230 waterbodies benefitting from the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharge project. This project rejuvenates the groundwater source of the tank, allowing us to identify the well, which holds water at a depth of 75 feet. After desilting and cleaning the well, we repaired its structure. With a Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) level below 350 mg/L, the water from the well has been supplied to the village, replacing borewell water, whose TDS levels were above 700 mg/L," said PK Selvaraj, founder of Kousika Neerkarangal.
The Hindu
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
DMK has no locus standi to question AIADMK-BJP tie-up, says Palaniswami
Having aligned with the BJP for the 1999 Lok Sabha and 2001 Assembly elections and shared power at the Centre (1999-2003), the DMK has no locus standi to criticise the AIADMK's alliance with the national party for the 2026 Assembly election, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami said on Monday, starting off his State-wide campaign from Mettupalayam in Coimbatore. The campaign is titled 'Puratchi Tamizharin Ezhuchi Payanam-Makkalai Kaapom, Tamizhagathai Meetpom'. Mr. Palaniswami, who began the campaign under the Z+ security protection announced by the Union government just days earlier, addressed people from a retractable podium atop a customised bus painted green and featuring the photos of him and former Chief Ministers C.N. Annadurai, M.G. Ramachandran, and Jayalalithaa. Scores of AIADMK and BJP workers took part in Mr. Palaniswami's first-ever joint road show with BJP leaders, three months after the alliance was forged. The Leader of the Opposition wondered how the BJP could be perceived as 'ideal' by the DMK when it was in its company and castigated as 'communal' when it was in alliance with the AIADMK. 'The people cannot be cheated any more,' Mr. Palaniswami said, directing his tirade at DMK president and Chief Minister M.K. Stalin. The DMK, he said, had done precious little for Tamil Nadu despite enjoying power for 16 years through tie-ups with the BJP and the Congress and under the governments of V.P. Singh and I.K. Gujral. However, the ruling party was now complaining about insufficient funds from the Union government, he said. By implementing 'only 15% of its 525 promises' for the 2021 Assembly election, hampering the implementation of the AIADMK government's people-centric initiatives like the Amma Mini Clinic, and steeply increasing the property tax and electricity tariff, the DMK was certain to face defeat in 2026, Mr. Palaniswami told a huge gathering of supporters. The DMK had failed to maintain law and order, he said, referring to the custodial death of a temple guard in Sivaganga as the latest instance. Women of all ages were unsafe. In contrast, the AIADMK administration was flawless from 2011 to 2021, he said. 'Rudderless alliance' Mr. Palaniswami questioned the rationale behind the DMK's alliance with the Congress as it was utilising every opportunity to capitalise on the 'travails' during Emergency. The INDIA bloc that Mr. Stalin was talking up quite often had been rendered rudderless after the exit of the Aam Aadmi Party. 'After assuming power in 2026', the AIADMK would revive phase II of the Athikadavu-Avinashi project and bring in a number of people-friendly schemes with substantial funding from the BJP government that had been elected for the third term under the laudable leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr. Palaniswami said. Mr. Palaniswami as well as BJP Tamil Nadu president Nainar Nagendran and Union Minister L. Murugan urged their party cadre work in unison for the victory of the alliance. In his brief speech, Mr. Nagendran even referred to Mr. Palaniswami as the 'future Chief Minister'. The BJP leaders also shared the podium with Mr. Palaniswami atop the campaign bus. All the senior leaders of both parties took part in the campaign that covered Karamadai, Periyanaickenpalayam, Thudiyalur, and Kavundampalayam, the areas considered strongholds of both parties.
New Indian Express
08-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
WRD steps in as sewage pollutes 100-acre pond in TN's Cheyur village
TIRUPPUR: A severe case of water pollution has come to light in Cheyur village in Tiruppur. A 100-acre pond here which is relied on for drinking water needs and agriculture has become unusable with the mixing of sewage. The Water Resources Department (WRD) is now planning to send a proposal to prevent the influx of sewage into the pond following a petition filed on behalf of the public to the 'Mudhalvarin Mugavari' department. K Balraj, a farmer of Cheyur village, said, "The pond belonging to the WRD is on the Kunnathur road. It is a major source of water for our village, nearby villages, farmlands, and settlements within a radius of about 5 km. Although the pond benefits from the Athikadavu- Avinashi project, it currently has very low water storage. As there is not inadequate water flow in the Bhavani River, there is no water supply to our pond through the project." "As sewage from local settlements enters the pond the groundwater in our village and nearby villages has been polluted. The water sometimes smells bad. People use borewell water for drinking, agriculture, and livestock. We have sent a petition to the Mudhalvarin Mugavari department, urging the government to take action to prevent sewage from mixing in the pond." K Ramasamy, another farmer from the village, said, "The pond is currently lacking adequate maintenance. A major part of the pond is occupied by Seemai Karuvelam (Prosopis juliflora). The government should take appropriate steps to remove this invasive plant and properly maintain the pond. The boundaries of the pond need to be redefined. Some places on the banks are occupied." K Arul Azhagan, Executive Engineer of WRD, said, "Appropriate measures will be taken to remove Prosopis juliflora from the pond and prevent sewage from mixing with it. A proposal in this regard will be prepared soon and sent to the head of the department."
