Farmers observe fast against LBP concretisation plan

Farmers associations opposing Lower Bhavani Project ( LBP) main canal concretisation plan observed fast near Vaikkalmedu, Perundurai on Sunday.

 The earthen canal was dug nearly 60 years back so that its bunds became weak in some areas. Therefore, the government has planned to concretise 55 km long embankment of the 400 km length canal and allotted 
Rs 710 cr for the modernization work including reonstruction of bridges, sluizes and culverts of the canal. While ayacut farmers associations supported the project, other ryots associations opposed it.  The local minister S Muthusamy tried to bring consensus between the 2 groups and failed in his effort.  So,  he announced the water resources minister Duraimurugan would settle the row. 

 TN farmers association president Venkatachalam said the concretisation plan would hit over 30 water harnessing projects helping 50000 acre to get water and also ground water table creating drinking water scarcity in many villages.

 It would also lead to felling down of thousands of trees on the canal affecting environment. So,  majority  ryots opposed the project he said and pleaded to the government to drop the concretisation plan. Ryots association leaders Ravi, EVK Shanmugam, Thulasimani,  VM Krishnamoorthy  and many others attended.