Erode, June 21: Farmers dependent on the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) have urged the district administration to establish a transparent and sustainable water supply framework for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. They expressed concerns over the lack of clarity regarding how water is currently being diverted for the project.
The ambitious Athikadavu-Avinashi project by the Tamil Nadu government aims to rejuvenate reservoirs and enhance groundwater recharge in the districts of Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore. Under this initiative, 1,045 ponds, lakes, and reservoirs have been interconnected through a pipeline network to channel additional water to drought-affected areas.
As water is being supplied to various reservoirs under the project, LBP farmers have demanded that a clear allocation system for water be established, similar to other irrigation systems dependent on the Bhavanisagar dam.
S. Periyasamy, president of the Lower Bhavani Landowners Association, stated that farmers are not opposed to the project but emphasized the need to protect the interests of traditional irrigation systems.
He said, “We support the Athikadavu-Avinashi project and have no objections to the allocation of water. However, water should only be provided when the needs of existing irrigation systems are met first. Currently, the water level in the Bhavanisagar dam is low, raising concerns among farmers about where the project is sourcing its water.”
Periyasamy pointed out that there is already a clear water distribution arrangement for the Lower Bhavani Project, Kalingarayan Canal, Thadapalli Canal, and Arakkankottai Canal. He demanded that a similar framework be established for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project, ensuring that water diversion remains within the approved limit of 1.5 TMC.
Farmers have presented their concerns to the district administration, seeking clear guidelines on water diversion for the project.
However, officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD) dismissed the farmers’ allegations, stating that no water is currently being drawn from the Bhavanisagar dam for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project.
A senior official associated with the project explained that recent rainfall has resulted in additional water flow into the Bhavani River from local catchment areas. Currently, only this additional water is being utilized for the project, which would otherwise flow into the Cauvery River.
The official stated, “After fulfilling the needs of the Lower Bhavani Project, Kalingarayan, Thadapalli, and Arakkankottai irrigation systems, a maximum of 1.5 TMC of additional water can be allocated to the Athikadavu project. At present, we are only using the additional flow from the river, not the dam’s water.”
According to the WRD, a recent measurement indicated an additional flow of 298 cusecs in the Bhavani River, of which 180 cusecs was diverted to the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. The department clarified that the project operates under approved regulations and does not affect the rights of existing irrigation systems.
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