Farmers in Sivaganga district have expressed dissatisfaction over the delay in works of re-examining the ancestral Vaigai irrigation areas in the district.In Vaigai dam, water is stored separately under Periyar credit and Vaigai credit. Only the Vaigai credit water is released into the Vaigai River for irrigation in parts of Madurai, Sivaganga district, and Ramanathapuram districts.Through this, 1.36 lakh acres of land received irrigation facilities through 374 ancestral Vaigai irrigation tanks located in the three districts.In this, from Peranai to Viraganur Regulator, the first reach of irrigation receive irrigation facilities for 27,420 acres through 46 tanks; from the Viraganur Regulator to Parthibanur Regulator, the second reach of irrigation receive irrigation facilities for 40,743 acres through 87 tanks; and from the Parthibanur Regulator to Ramanathapuram Big Tank, the third reach of irrigation receive irrigation facilities for 67,837 acres of agricultural land, said sources.When water is released from the Vaigai dam, it is provided in the ratio of two shares to the first irrigation area, three shares to the second irrigation area, and seven shares to the third irrigation area.In later times, dams were constructed here and there across the tributaries of the Vaigai. Due to this, the amount of Vaigai credit water reaching the Vaigai dam has decreased. Except during rainy and flood seasons, water is released into the Vaigai River for a maximum of only 10 days during other periods.Due to the lack of adequate water, thousands of acres of land in Sivaganga district have been left fallow.Moreover, in many places in Madurai district, Old Vaigai irrigation agricultural lands have turned into housing plots, alleged the farmers.However, despite the reduction in agricultural lands, the same amount of water continued to be released.Citing this, the farmers of Sivaganga district urged that this area should be re-examined and water should be shared and distributed accordingly.A few years ago, Water Resources Department officials recommended a re-examination to the government. However, the work has not yet begun.Ayyachamy, a former Panchayat president of Keezhanattur and a Vaigai irrigation farmer, said, “We have been continuously urging for a re-examination in Madurai. The WRD officials also promised to conduct the study. However, they have shelved the work without starting it. A study must be conducted immediately, and water should be distributed based on the area of agricultural land. Only then can the agricultural lands be protected.” Published - June 02, 2026 07:58 pm IST