A joint panel headed by District Collector P. Bala Kiran proposed the construction of three protection walls with sluice gates to end the problem of salinity intrusion from the Kattampally river in parts of the Chirakkal panchayat.
The proposal has been made in the context of the row over the district administration’s decision to close the shutters of the regulators of the Kattampally irrigation project here. While the closure of the shutters followed the demand of residents in parts of the Chirakkal panchayat who complained of salinity intrusion if the shutters remained open, the traditional paddy cultivators in the brackish water areas (‘kaipad’ in local parlance) in the basin of the river opposed the closing of the regulators.
The proposal has been included in the report prepared by the panel after visiting the areas and speaking to farmers and residents. The joint committee proposed that the protection walls with sluice gates be immediately constructed as a permanent solution to the salt water intrusion in areas such as Pathayachira, Thaikandichira, and Kallukettuchira.
Also proposed is the construction of 1,560-m long permanent protection walls parallel to the river bank in the Chirakkal panchayat. The report says that if these works are completed, the shutters of the Kattampally regulators can remain open throughout the year except during the period between April 15 and May 31. This will be beneficial to the kaipad area cultivators in the upstream of the river.
An official press release says that a detailed project report on identifying different kaipad areas on the basis of their specific features will be submitted to the government. The panel included Kerala Agricultural University associate professor T. Vanaja, Principal Agricultural Officer P.C. Dhanaraj, and Joint Director of Fisheries Dineshan Cheruvat, among others.
Move to close regulator shutters of irrigation project
Residents weary of salinity intrusion, kaipad farmers want shutters open
