The Madras High Court has directed the Erode district administration and the Water Resources Department (WRD) to decide within two weeks on a representation seeking the release of water into the Kalingarayan Canal, after hearing the views of other parties drawing water from the Bhavanisagar Dam.
Justice P.T. Asha passed the order on October 15 on a petition filed by S. Palanikumar, president of the Kalingarayan Mathagu Pasana Vivasayigal Sabai No.4. A copy of the order was made available on Saturday.
According to the petitioner, the Kalingarayan Canal irrigates 15,743 acres in Erode district. Water was not released into the canal during the regular irrigation season this year owing to renovation works, leaving standing crops under stress.
The petitioner submitted that 8.812 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water was released from the Bhavanisagar Dam to the Thadapalli and Arakkankottai canals for 120 days, from April 27 to August 24, during the first crop season of 2026-27.
The association also alleged that 3.14 tmcft of water was released from the Kundah hydropower stations and the Bhavanisagar Dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) Canal for special irrigation between August 15 and September 1, 2026, without a government order.
Citing Public Works Department Government Order No. 2647, dated November 2, 1966, the petitioner said water should be supplied to the Kalingarayan Canal continuously for 320 days every year, from June 16 to April 30. The association further alleged that water released into the canal for 15 days, from July 14 to 28, did not reach tail-end farmers in Chitta Pulla Palayam.
