Farmers of Kottampatti block in Melur taluk in Madurai district urged the State government to extend proper water supply to the region through the Periyar Main Canal, for agricultural purposes. Farmers and activists took part in a consultative meeting held on Sunday.The farmers said the villages in Kottampatti block were solely dependent on rainfall for the agricultural activities since there was no proper water supply to the region through the Periyar Main Canal. As a result, agricultural activities were affected, the farmers said. The Kottampatti block consists of the tailend areas of Madurai district.The farmers said they have been demanding proper water supply from the Periyar Main Canal for over 40 years. Prior to the 2026 Assembly election, consultative meetings were held in this regard. Petitions were also submitted to Madurai Collector seeking the supply of water from the Periyar Canal to the region. The farmers had also registered their grievances on social media platforms.Under these circumstances, a consultative meeting was held in Kottampatti to deliberate on the next course of action. During the meeting, a resolution was passed urging the State government to take immediate measures to expedite implementation of water supply through Pulipatti to the villages situated in the Kottampatti block.Other resolutions were also passed at the consultative meeting suggesting alternative measures to bring water to the region. The resolutions passed urged the State government to conduct a comprehensive study for alternative solutions such as constructing a direct irrigation canal from Anaipatti through Palamedu or sourcing water through the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar Link Project.The alternatives should be looked into only if there were any difficulties in extending water supply through the Periyar Main Canal, the farmers said. The resolutions passed emphasised the need to implement the appropriate measures to immediately address the requirements of the farmers of the Kottampatti block. Published - May 17, 2026 09:11 pm IST