Tiruppur, August 22: The silt removal process at Thirumurthy Dam near Udumalaipettai in Tamil Nadu has resumed following government approval. Local residents are urging authorities to enhance monitoring to prevent any irregularities during the excavation and transportation of silt.
The Thirumurthy Dam, located in the Western Ghats, receives water from nearby rivers and streams. It is also fed by the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) system. This dam plays a crucial role in irrigating fields in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts.
Under the PAP scheme, approximately 376,152 acres benefit from irrigation. Additionally, the old Ayacut system irrigates 3,044 acres through the Thali and Vaipalayam canals. Several joint drinking water schemes also depend on this reservoir.
Taking advantage of the summer season and low water levels, farmers had requested permission to remove the accumulated silt from the reservoir. The silt removal work began on July 27 but was temporarily halted on July 31 due to complaints of irregularities received by the district administration.
Following these complaints, officials conducted an inspection at the dam site. Subsequently, farmers appealed to the government to allow the work to continue, arguing that the nutrient-rich silt would enhance soil fertility and agricultural productivity. This issue was raised in the state assembly as well. Eventually, permission was granted to resume the work, and farmers restarted the silt removal process on Friday.
However, local residents emphasize the need for continuous monitoring to prevent misuse of the permits. They have urged authorities to verify the quantity of silt removed by each beneficiary and ensure it is transported only to the designated agricultural land specified in the permits.
Residents also demand an investigation into whether individuals outside the command area, who are not farmers, are extracting silt for commercial purposes. Officials must ensure that only the designated silt is removed and that no gravel, red soil, or other construction materials are illegally taken from the reservoir area.
Local inhabitants believe that strict monitoring will ensure that genuine farmers benefit from this initiative. Properly transporting the accumulated silt to fields will improve soil quality, increase crop yields, and enhance farmers’ livelihoods.
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