The release of water into the Kalingarayan Canal scheduled for June 16 has become uncertain owing to delays in the ongoing modernisation works in Erode in Tamil Nadu.
| Photo Credit: GOVARTHAN M.
Release of water into the Kalingarayan Canal, scheduled for June 16, is uncertain owing to delays in the ongoing modernisation works. Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) said that only 50% of the works are completed so far.The 91.10-km-long canal that irrigates 15,743 acres in the district supports the cultivation of turmeric, banana, sugarcane and other crops for nearly 10 months every year. As per the annual schedule, water is released into the canal on June 16 and the supply continues till April 30. Maintenance works are taken up during the other months.The ₹83.33-crore renovation project, sanctioned on July 24 last year, covers the stretch between mile 12/3/348 and mile 15/4.5/195 and includes construction of protection walls along both sides of the canal for 4.65 km, formation of a 4.22-km-long baby canal, reconstruction of 67 sluices, two bridges and an aqueduct, construction of two underpasses, renewal of an outlet shutter, construction of C-type staff quarters, and provision of chain-link fencing for 0.70 km.Water discharge from the Kalingarayan anicut at Kalingarayanpalayam into the canal was stopped on April 7, 2026 and the canal was allowed to dry to facilitate execution of the works. The renovation works commenced on April 11.A WRD engineer told The Hindu that only half of the works were completed and it will not be possible to release water on June 16 as originally planned. The remaining works are expected to be completed by June 28 and a decision on opening the canal will be taken after consultations with farmers.Farmers have expressed concern over the possible delay, stating it can affect cultivation activities and expose crops to monsoon-related risks. P.K. Sethuraja, president of the Kalingarayan Farmers and Workers Welfare Association, said farmers are preparing for the cultivation of turmeric, paddy, onion and maize based on the scheduled opening of the canal and expected the water release to take place on time. “We are holding a meeting with members to chart out our next course of action over the delay in releasing water for irrigation,” he said. The delay has raised uncertainty over the commencement of irrigation under the Kalingarayan Canal system for the current cultivation season. Published - June 10, 2026 06:57 pm IST
