Restoration sought for waterbodies affected by NHAI’s work in Kanniyakumari district

Over 25 tanks and small to medium sized irrigation channels have been affected across Kanniyakumari district due to the ongoing four-lane work being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India.

Farmers have been raising repeated concerns at the monthly farmers grievance redressal meetings held at the district Collectorate. They alleged construction materials dumped along the route have blocked several minor channels, disrupting the water flow to agricultural lands

A few months ago, a petition was submitted by Kodhayar Irrigation System Project Committee to the district administration, detailing the tanks, and channels affected during the four lane construction process in Kanniyakumari districts.

A. Vins Anto of Kodhayar Irrigation System Project Committee said that the obstruction caused even to small irrigation channels could affect the agricultural lands. He added, “Despite multiple petitions submitted at various meetings, no concrete actions have been taken by the Water Resource Department (WRD).”

“Although the Collector has instructed the officials to ensure that NHAI work, does not affect agricultural land, the issues continue,” he said.

In the petition, the committee has submitted some of the tanks and water channels affected in the district includes Thamaraikulam in Kappukadu, Periyakulam in Nattalam, Mampallikulam in Mylode road, Irattaikulam in Nelliyarkonam road, Naachiyarkulam in Thottiyodu, Kuthiraipaanchankulam in Thottiyodu and Purakulam in Valukkamparai.

Water channels at the places included Adaikuzhi, Nattalam, Pattanam Kaalvai, Mambalthu Kaal, were some of the channels damaged during the four lane work.

Mr. Anto has urged the authorities to take immediate steps to restore these water bodies and channels as they play a pivotal role in agriculture in the district.

However, a statement from the NHAI said that the contracting company would commence the restoration of tanks to their original condition. It added that a joint inspection will be conducted with representatives from the WRD, Kodhayar Irrigation System Project Committee, NHAI and the contracting company, and any deficiencies observed during the inspection will be rectified.

It further noted that the contracting company has restored five ponds as of September and the remaining process would be carried out once the monsoon period is over and when the condition of the ponds become favourable.