Vedaparai reservoir project remains a long-pending demand in Anthiyur constituency

In the largely agrarian Anthiyur constituency spanning the plains and the Bargur Hills, ensuring reliable water supply for drinking and irrigation has long remained a persistent challenge.

The Varattupallam reservoir, with a storage capacity of 1.39 tmc ft, feeds five lakes and supports groundwater recharge. Farmers have repeatedly called for its desilting to restore the capacity and maximise monsoon storage. The constituency has seen several water management proposals, including check dams across the Maniyachi Pallam stream and at Valukkuparai in the hills, along with plans to divert water to the reservoir. While these measures can improve irrigation in the plains, hill residents fear ecological disruption, including impacts on forests, wildlife and traditional livelihoods.

Farmers have also demanded integration of the Thoni Maduvu and Mettur surplus water schemes, proposing that excess water from the Bhavanisagar Dam be channelled to replenish local water bodies. Another long-pending demand is the Vedaparai reservoir project, announced in 2017–18, which envisaged storing 43.12 mcft of water to irrigate over 500 acres.

With arid conditions prevailing, even basic water needs are often only marginally met. Farmers say effective implementation of these schemes can ensure year-round supply and improve agricultural prospects. Land-related issues further add to distress, with demands for regular pattas along forest fringes and restoration of lands earlier assigned under conditional pattas.

On the healthcare front, the Government Hospital in Anthiyur lacks specialist doctors and essential facilities such as an X-ray unit, forcing residents to depend on costly private centres. Many are referred to the Government Erode Medical College Hospital in Perundurai.

The situation is worse in the hills, where around 20,000 voters across 36 hamlets depend on distant healthcare facilities. Residents have long demanded an upgraded hospital at Thamaraikarai, centrally located between the West and East Bargur Hills. Despite the addition of ambulances, patients still travel over 25 km for treatment.

Kathirimalai, a remote hamlet, received electricity only recently but lacks road access. Villages such as Sundapur and Tholli do not have bitumen-topped roads.

Economic hardship is widespread, with many families trapped in debt cycles, often mortgaging tamarind trees or borrowing from moneylenders. Tribal families say houses sanctioned under the PM JANAM Scheme remain incomplete, as the allocated ₹5.73 lakh is insufficient.

Education and employment challenges are significant. Migration to the plains in search of work has led to high school dropout rates. V.P. Gunasekaran of the Tamil Nadu Tribal Peoples’ Association, stressed the need for local livelihood opportunities. Delays in wage payments and limited work under the rural employment scheme have worsened distress, he added.

Community leaders have suggested involving locals in removing invasive species from forests to generate employment. While the creation of five new panchayats in the hills has been welcomed, their effective functioning remains key.

The constituency has seen the AIADMK win seven times, the DMK four times and the PMK once. While recent development initiatives may favour the DMK, the narrow margin of under 1,500 votes in the last election and the dominance of Kongu Vellalar Gounders and Vanniyars point to another closely contested race.