An emergency meeting of leading political parties convened by Communist Party of India (CPI) in Tirupur on Wednesday has resolved to conduct agitation in protest against the proposed move by Kerala government to construct dams across various inter-state rivers that bring water to Tamil Nadu.

More parties and organisations extend support

With more than 31 organisations coming together, the stage seems to be set for a human chain agitation at Gandhipuram in Coimbatore on Monday to protest Kerala’s decision to construct a dam of 450m length at Chittur – Venkadal in Attappady across River Siruvani, a source of water for the Bhavani. Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) general secretary Vaiko, on Sunday, had already launched a campaign sensitising the people on the effects that Kerala’s proposed dam and power house project at Pambaru would cause to the Amaravathy basin.

Tirupur farmers want pipeline to be laid along highways

Around 650 farmers and activists staged a demonstration here on Wednesday to protest against the Gas Authority of India Limited’s (GAIL) choice of farmland in the district to lay gas pipeline to take natural gas from Kochi to Bangalore. The gas pipeline project of GAIL passes through 22 villages in the district for a stretch of 42 km.

The opposition from the farmers in the district to Kerala's proposal to build a dam across Bhavani river at Attapadi intensified as the farming community fears that the move may deprive them of water for irrigation.

Most of the farmers in the district depend on the Bhavani river for their irrigation needs. The river is the primary water source for over 2.5 lakh acres of lands in Erode and neighbouring Tiruppur and Karur districts.

Tamilaga Vivasayigal Livelihood Protection Committee has urged the Chief Minister to save farmers in Western Tamil Nadu from an “impending danger” to their livelihood that has come in the form of pipeline project by Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) from Kochi to Bangalore.

The pipeline on entering Tamil Nadu at Walayar would pass through agricultural lands in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode, Namakkal, Salem, Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts.

Says it is trying to create disharmony between two States

Members of the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam staged a protest in the city and Mettupalayam against the Kerala's move to build a dam across Siruvani. The party's urban district secretary, R.R. Mohankumar, led the protests in the city, while his rural counterpart V. Eswaran in Mettupalayam.

Groundwater table, agriculture hit

The menace of illegal sand mining continues to ravage River Bhavani in Erode district and remains a cause of serious concern to the farming community. Every night, tractors, trucks and bullock carts continue to transport loads of sand illegally mined from the river to construction sites in the nearby commercial hubs including Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur. The authorities concerned including the officials of Department of Geology and Mining and the police personnel here remain silent on this issue.

Groundwater table, agriculture hit

The menace of illegal sand mining continues to ravage River Bhavani in Erode district and remains a cause of serious concern to the farming community. Every night, tractors, trucks and bullock carts continue to transport loads of sand illegally mined from the river to construction sites in the nearby commercial hubs including Coimbatore, Salem and Tirupur. The authorities concerned including the officials of Department of Geology and Mining and the police personnel here remain silent on this issue.

Industry waste has asphyxiated the river and destroyed livelihoods, says Joe A Scaria

The Tamil Nadu government has issued orders to upgrade two of its cement plants with an investment of around Rs 515 crore.