Members of Voice of Water Association, a city-based organisation, observed a fast here on Sunday, demanding diversion of surplus water from River Noyyal and Parambikulam — Aliyar Project to Sultanpet and Kinathukadavu Unions
The association said that the diversion could be effected by constructing a 15-km-long canal from Ottarpalayam to Edayarpalayam.
This would fill up over 50 check dams in these villages besides the 400-acre Kothavadi lake in Kinathukadavu.
Such a project would benefit nearly 70 villages in these Unions and meet the drinking water needs of over five lakh persons residing in these areas besides help over one lakh farmers. This project would also help revive the poultry industry, which had declined in these areas in recent years. This would also help increase the levels of the groundwater table and reduce the use of power-intensive pumps by farmers.
The water diversion would also help boost several other industries in the region, which would generate jobs for youngsters.
MonsoonIt should be taken up immediately so as to complete it ahead of the South West monsoon which would set in by June.
The association also called for immediate removal of encroachments in River Noyyal.
Association president P.S. Palanisamy, vice president M. Kathiresh, secretary G. Kailash, treasurer P. Sakthivel and others took part in the protest.