Tue Aug 26 13:45:49 UTC 2025: **Summary:**
Various farmers’ associations in the Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore districts of Tamil Nadu are urging the government to establish clear regulations for the Athikadavu-Avinashi irrigation project. They highlight the lack of defined operational guidelines, such as the quantity of water to be released from the Bhavanisagar Dam and the drawal period, which contrasts with the well-defined rules governing the Lower Bhavani Project. They fear this ambiguity could lead to mismanagement and unfair distribution of water. They are therefore requesting the government to frame and implement strict rules for the project to ensure equitable water access for irrigation.
**News Article:**
**Tamil Nadu Farmers Demand Regulations for Key Irrigation Project**
**ERODE, August 26, 2025** – Farmers’ associations across Erode, Tiruppur, and Coimbatore districts in Tamil Nadu are calling on the state government to institute formal regulations for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. This project, designed to irrigate 24,468 acres and fill 1,045 water bodies through lift irrigation, has so far lacked clear operational guidelines, raising concerns among agricultural communities.
At a meeting held on Sunday, representatives from several farmers’ groups, including the Keel Bhavani Murai Neer Pasana Vivasayigal Kootamaippu and the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam, passed resolutions emphasizing the need for clearly defined parameters. They specifically pointed to the absence of details concerning the quantity of water to be released from the Bhavanisagar Dam and the permissible drawal period for the project.
“The Athikadavu-Avinashi project aims to divert 1.5 tmc ft of surplus water from the River Bhavani,” stated a joint resolution. “However, without a clear framework, we risk mismanagement and inequitable distribution of this vital resource.”
Farmers highlighted the contrasting example of the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP), which operates under well-established rules guaranteed by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal award. The existing LBP rules ensure coordinated management of multiple canals. They expressed concern that the lack of similar rules for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project could lead to unfair advantages for some regions or farmers over others.
The associations are demanding that the government officially publish a detailed notification outlining the operational guidelines for the Athikadavu-Avinashi project. This notification should clearly define the water drawal period, the quantity of water to be released, and other essential details to ensure fair and sustainable water management for all stakeholders. Farmers insist that the economic well being of their communities depends on the equitable distrobution of resources.
First Piper 