Environmentalists have questioned the propriety of Coimbatore Corporation undertaking structural work of Rajavaikkal irrigation canal which is under the control of Water Resources Department.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Environmentalists have expressed concern over the emergence of structural encroachments along the Rajavaikkal at Vishwanathapuram area near Thudiyalur, and are apprehensive that the reduction of the canal’s width will cause inundation of the locality during the rainy season.The stretches from Kanuvai to Thudiyalur, and from Vellakinaru to the lake have been encroached.The Water Resources Department has set a wrong precedent by letting Coimbatore Corporation to carry out construction activity along the irrigation feeder canal of Chinnavedampatti lake, said Sivaraja, coordinator and secretary, Kousika Neer Karangal.Any work pertaining to irrigation canals has to be done only by the WRD to eliminate any scope for water obstruction at any point. The construction activity by the Corporation has caused dismay among farmers as the Chinnavedampatti lake on an expanse of 200 acres under the control of the Water Resources Department in the northern part of Coimbatore is a vital water body for the residents, Mr. Sivaraja pointed out.In this case, urbanisation is adduced as an excuse by the authorities for expanding the jeep track and raising retaining wall. The reasoning is deplorable, he emphasised. Published - September 07, 2026 07:40 pm IST
