LBP Ayacut ryots protest in PWD office

Keezhbavani Ayacut Irrigation Farmers Sangam appealed to the government to commence the Keezhbavani irrigation canal (LBP) modernization work without delay.
Over 50 farmers led by the sangam functionaries S Periyasamy and KV Ponnaiyan represented to the PWD officials at Erode in this regard. They said  Rs 710 cr LBP canal modernization plan was pending for many years to protect the earthen canal which became much weak due to non maintenance since it was dug nearly 65 years back.

So, over 25000 acre in tail end area of the ayacut out of 2.07 lakh acre did not get adequate water.  The project was envisaged by the government itself but some ryots of non ayacut who use the water illegally opposed it. So, no modernization work was in progress. In protest against it, the ayacut ryots represented many times to PWD, local ministers, government. But no action was taken. On May 9, many ryots picketed the PWD office for many hours to insist officials to carry out the project. At that time, the officials and local minister S Muthusamy assured to carry out the project from May 15.  But, no work was done as assured. As per the norm,  water release in the canal was stopped on April 30 and water would again be released from August 15 for samba paddy cultivation.  So,  before that the project work should be carried out.  But, the PWD didn't show interest to carry out the project indicating its support to non ayacut ryots. Instead, it planned to construct some damaged bridges and culverts and close down the project work.

They didn't even give the present plan of doing such work and create awareness among public on the report of principal water resource secretary Sandeep Saxena that the canal was dug for irrigation and not for drinking water supply as the non ayacut ryots spread misinformation among public that the project would create water scarcity in many areas of the district. Hence, the sangam sought an explanation from PWD officials why they didn't carry out the project as assured from May 15, they said.