The Andhra Pradesh government’s move to raise the height of a check dam across Palar river at Perumpallam has come as a rude shock for farmers in Vellore. This, they say, would prevent flow of water to the district and was a violation of the riparian rights.
A.C. Venkatesan, a farmer and secretary of Vellore District Palar Paadhukaapu Sangam, said there were 22 check dams across the 36-km-long Palar river in Andhra Pradesh. “For the last two to three months, the government had taken up works to raise the height of the 22nd dam that is located close to the AP-Tamil Nadu border near Pullur panchayat of Vaniyambadi taluk,” he said.
Mr. Venkatesan, who had visited the spot on Thursday, said the nearly 15 feet dam has been raised by at least 10 feet.
“The sand has been dug up in a bid to increase the water storage capacity of the dam. If it rains, not a single drop of water will enter Palar river in Vellore district. This amounts to violation of riparian rights of the State,” he added.
R. Mullai, district secretary of Tamil Nadu Vivasaigal Sangam said that this act of the AP government was condemnable as it violated the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.
“Already, the water flow into Palar has been completely obstructed due to indiscriminate construction of check dams across the river in AP. Farmers have been badly hit due to scarcity of water. Coconut trees on several hectares have withered without water,” he added.
He urged the State government to take up measures on a war-footing to protect the State’s rights over Palar. Farmers said this was the outcome of the lackadaisical approach of officials.
Dispute over temple
Residents and farmers said a temple in Pullur panchayat of Vellore district has also been a bone of contention, with the AP government trying to claim ownership.
The Kanaganatchiamman Temple here is being managed by three panchayat heads of Pullur, Avarangkuppam and Thimmampet and comes under the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment Department, according to a temple staff.
“The check dam is very close to the temple, which is nearly 150 years old. The work to raise the height is continuing. Initially, they raised it to five feet, but now, it has gone up to 10 to 12 feet,” he said.
The temple is located at the centre of Palar in Vellore but the AP government has been slowly claiming ownership, he said, adding, “On Wednesday, they issued a notice for auction for collection of two-wheeler parking fee at the temple. The auction was held on Thursday.”
PWD officials said they had visited the spot two weeks ago.
“They have raised the height of the check dam to enable devotees to cross the river. The width of the dam has also been increased. We were not informed about the work though we had earlier said there should be no activity on Palar,” an official said.
He said this would not affect water flow into Vellore district. He added that the department would submit a report to the State government.
The water flow into Palar has already been obstructed due to the construction of several check dams
