Collector Vishu Mahajan addresses the farmers grievance meeting held at the Collectorate in Thoothukudi on Thursday.
| Photo Credit: N, RAJESH
Farmers have urged the district administration to convert the Sadayaneri floodwater canal into a perennial water supply canal, which will benefit the drought-prone areas of Udangudi and Sathankulam.The demand was raised at the monthly farmers grievance redressal meeting held at the Collectorate here on Thursday. The meeting was presided by Collector Vishu Mahajan.Addressing the farmers, Mr. Mahajan said the cage developed by the Forest Department to tackle pig menace was functioning successfully. A tender had been finalised for manufacture of the cages, and a work order would be issued shortly. The cages would be ready within 45 days and they would be handed over to panchayats through the Rural Development Department. Additional cages would be manufactured and distributed across the district in a phased manner.Pointing to the High Court’s direction for removal of Prosopis juliflora, he said a survey was under way to assess the extent of the invasive flora in the district. In the first phase, tenders would be invited for removal of Prosopis juliflora from around 1,000 acres of minor irrigation tanks in the district.During the meeting, farmers demanded the early disbursement of crop insurance compensation for 2025-2026 and adequate advance supply of fertilizers. They urged the authorities to distribute subsidised coconut saplings before the onset of monsoon and provide varieties that would yield results within a short period. They further sought a farmers association to operate the paddy procurement centre in Kurumbur.The farmers further said the Sadayaneri canal, which was constructed to benefit Sathankulam and Udangudi areas, was not receiving adequate water. The water could reach the Sadayaneri canal only after the canal tank at Marudhur Melakkal was filled. They urged the authorities to implement the bypass canal project, which diverted water directly to Sadayaneri canal without routing it through Kaalvaikulam.Responding to the concerns, the Collector said the process of obtaining approval from the department concerned was in the final stage and once completed the compensation amount would be disbursed soon.On the demand for a bypass canal for diversion of water to Sadayaneri canal, he said the matter would be discussed with senior officials of the Water Resources Department and appropriate action would be taken.District Revenue Officer M. Guruchandran, District Forest Officer M. Ilayaraja and other officials were present. Published - August 20, 2026 09:27 pm IST
