The collapse of a portion of the regulator across the Coleroon at Upper Anicut has triggered apprehensions among farmers over a possible impact on water management and irrigation in the Cauvery delta for the samba season.
The Upper Anicut, built in 1836 by British irrigation engineer Sir Arthur Cotton, remains a vital structure to regulate water flow in the delta. It is from here that the flow of water in the Cauvery to Grand Anicut is managed by the Public Works Department.
A major portion of the surplus flow is diverted into the Coleroon from here.
“We are afraid that the major breakdown could impact irrigation in the delta. The government should seek the help of the Army to plug the gap fully so that there is no shortfall in water flow in the Cauvery,” said Mannargudi S.Ranganathan, general secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers’ Welfare Association.
Farmers are worried over possibilities of heavy discharge from the Mettur dam again and heavy local rains during the monsoon.
Farmers and PWD engineers point out that the brick masonry structure had survived the onslaught of several floods, including the deluges of 1924, 1977 and 2005.
More than 1.5 lakh cusecs of water was diverted into the Coleroon through the regulator from August 17 to 20 and more than 1 lakh cusecs had flowed over the next two days.
“At least part of the reason is sand mining. The foundation of bridges and irrigation structures are suffering due to the heavy scouring [erosion of sand] due to sand mining in their vicinity.
The government should wake up at least now and forthwith ban sand mining from the rivers,” Mr. Ranganathan said.
Huge pits dug
P.R.Pandian, president, Tamil Nadu All Farmers Federation, alleged that the huge pits dug for sand mining on the riverbed had caused heavy erosion at the foundation of the regulator. “The government should end sand mining and call the Army to plug the breach to ensure that samba cultivation is not delayed,” he demanded.
However, S.K. Prabhakar, principal secretary, PWD, who is camping at Mukkombu, said the irrigation season would be managed without any problem.
A. Veerappan, former Special Chief Engineer, and State secretary, TN PWD Senior Engineers Association, too does not anticipate much problem in tiding over the crisis. “There are latest technologies available to block the flow in the breached area and for building a new barrage even when the water is flowing,” he said.
He did not agree with the suggestion that the sand mining was the reason for the collapse of the regulator. “Scouring could have happened because of heavy flow over a sustained period,” Mr. Veerappan said.
Rising above these concerns is a deep sense of loss among farmers. A plaque erected to commemorate the construction of anicut reads: “The cost of the whole work has been 2 lacs (sic) of rupees. The benefits are incalculable and will be felt by future generations.”
Generations of farmers have reaped its benefits for almost two centuries. But a new regulator, in all probability, will soon end the utility of the historic structure.
