Decline in coconut yield and delay in Anamalaiyaru–Nallaru project raise concerns in Udumalpet constituency

Decline in coconut yield and the non-implementation of the Anamalaiyaru–Nallaru project have emerged as key concerns in the Udumalpet Assembly constituency.

The Parambikulam Aliyar Project (PAP) supports irrigation across about 4.5 lakh acres. It has an estimated annual yield of 50 tmc ft. Under an inter-State agreement, Tamil Nadu supplies 19.55 tmc ft of water to Kerala every year.

Farmers said key components of the system remain unimplemented. S.R. Madhusudhanan, district president of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, pointed to the pending Anamalaiyaru–Nallaru project. The project includes a 14.40-km tunnel to divert water from Upper Nirar to the Nallar region and a 4-km canal to link it with the contour canal.

He said that under a supplementary agreement, Kerala permitted construction of the Anamalaiyar Dam after completion of the Idamalayar Dam. While Kerala completed the project in 1985, Tamil Nadu has not initiated construction of the dam. Farmers said this would otherwise help utilise about 8.5 tmc ft of water for irrigation.

Farmers also flagged the condition of the Udumalai canal under the PAP system. The canal has not undergone full renovation for several years. Structural damage, including collapsed concrete slabs, has reduced its carrying capacity. The reduced discharge has affected water supply, particularly in tail-end areas, and farmers called for immediate repairs between Thirumoorthy Nagar and Udumalpet town.

Coconut is the main crop in the constituency, but farmers reported losses due to Rugose Spiralling Whitefly infestation and root wilt disease. U. Paramasivam, a coconut farmer, said around one lakh acres are under cultivation in the region. He said that in the past two years alone, over 10,000 trees have been cut due to pests and disease, and yields have declined from about 250 nuts per tree per year to around 150. He said measures to control the spread remain inadequate and called for the promotion of intercropping by the government.

He added that there are around 20 lakes in the constituency, but no desilting work has been undertaken to restore storage capacity and support groundwater recharge.

K. Sevanthi Srinivasan said there has been no progress in establishing a government engineering college in Udumalpet, a long-pending demand. He said students from the area are forced to move to Pollachi or Coimbatore to pursue engineering courses.

He added that the Veterinary College and Research Institute functions in the region, but lacks adequate facilities. Around 300 students are currently enrolled, and the intake could be increased. He also called for the establishment of dedicated research stations in areas such as poultry, livestock, cattle and allied sectors.

S. Balamurugan said the town areas lack pedestrian infrastructure, including near the bus stand, forcing people to cross busy junctions without signals. Motorists have sought a median on the Coimbatore–Dindigul National Highway up to Periyakottai junction. Junctions at Periyakottai, Venjamadai, Anna Nagar and Kozhumam Road witness congestion, affecting traffic movement and pedestrian access.