Stating that concrete lining of Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) canal would stop water seepage from the canal affecting groundwater recharges in the ayacut areas, Lower Bhavani Irrigation Protection Movement has urged the State government to drop the canal modernisation project and instead widen the canal to allow it to carry more water to reach the tail-end area.
Work is under way to renovate and modernise the LBP main canal at ₹709.60 crore to help irrigate 2.07 lakh acres in the districts of Erode, Tiruppur and Karur.
Farmers’ associations were divided over concrete-lining of the canal as some said that it would affect recharge of groundwater, while others were of the opinion water seepages would be controlled and water would be used judiciously.
As many as 12 farmers’ associations in the three districts have formed the movement opposing the project. They have decided to conduct a conference on April 24 at Perundurai to urge the government to drop the project.
On Monday, the members met District Collector H. Krishnanunni and submitted an interim report on “Impact on the groundwater resources due to the lining of Lower Bhavani Canal”.
Movement convener N. Ravi told presspersons that the Lower Bhavani Project system was the first major irrigation project initiated in India after Independence. The work that began in 1948 was completed in 1955 and commissioned in 1956. “The study has shown that unlined canal design has provided water for groundwater recharges and water for wells in the command areas,” he said and added the concrete-lining would stop the water seepage from the canal affecting the farmers and the people. “The canal may be widened and the height of the bunds may be increased to ensure a better flow of water till the tail-end,” he said.
