Bhavanisagar (R) constituency awaits answers to long-standing challenges

The only reserved constituency in the district presents a striking contrast, a landscape where forested hills meet fertile plains. From the temple town of Bannari to the forested stretches of Thalavadi and Kadambur, the region is home to landmarks such as the Arulmigu Bannari Mariamman Temple, the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve, and the Dhimbam Ghat Road connecting Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

Falling under the Nilgiris Parliamentary Constituency, the area also hosts the Bhavanisagar Dam, or Lower Bhavani Dam, which feeds the Lower Bhavani Project canal, Kalingarayan Canal, Thadapalli Canal and Arakkankottai Canal. These irrigation networks remain the lifeline for thousands of farmers.

In Sathyamangalam, one of the long-pending issues is the upgradation of the Government Hospital into a district hospital. “Though the hospital handles critical cases, including road accident victims and those injured in human-animal conflicts daily, it still functions only as a referral hospital,” said S. Mohan Kumar, a voter, stressing the need for better-equipped facilities. In Thalavadi too, there is a growing call to upgrade the Government Upgraded Primary Health Centre into a full-fledged hospital, as patients are often referred to hospitals in Chamarajanagar in Karnataka.

Beyond healthcare, water scarcity continues to dominate public discourse. In the plains, people displaced during the construction of the dam, now settled in areas such as Pudhubeerkadavu and Rajan Nagar, face acute shortages. They have long been seeking a scheme to utilise surplus water from the dam to replenish local waterbodies, said K. Rajendran, a farmer.

In Thalavadi, the problem is severe due to the depletion of the groundwater level. Residents are pressing for a lift irrigation scheme to draw water from River Moyar, along with the construction of check dams in the hills to prevent runoff into neighbouring Karnataka. In Punjai Puliyampatti, where agriculture is largely rain-fed, the implementation of the second phase of the Athikadavu–Avinashi project is seen crucial to recharge groundwater.

Farmers, meanwhile, have been demanding the diversion of water from the Pandiyaru to the Moyar to ensure year-round availability in the dam. “With rising dependence on the dam, interlinking water sources is seen as a sustainable solution,” said A.N. Asaithambi, coordinator of the Pandiyar–Moyar Inaippu Iyakkam.

Members of the Bhavani River Protection Committee have flagged the discharge of untreated industrial effluents and municipal sewage into the river. “The river supports lakhs of people and must be protected,” said a committee member, calling for urgent intervention.

Residents of Thalavadi, Hasanur and Kadambur grapple with frequent human-animal conflicts. Incidents involving elephants, leopards and other wildlife have led to loss of lives and property, with residents expressing frustration over delayed and inadequate compensation. There has been a long-standing call for digging and maintaining extensive elephant-proof trenches. Additionally, over 30,000 people from the Malayali community in the Kadambur hills continue to seek inclusion in the Scheduled Tribes list. Though the State government has forwarded the recommendation, it requires a Constitutional amendment, an issue unresolved by the Centre for years.

Agriculture remains central to the region’s economy. In Thalavadi, where vegetables are cultivated extensively, farmers are seeking a dedicated marketing and processing centre to improve price realisation and reduce losses. There is also a call for establishing an agriculture college in Bhavanisagar. Such an institution, residents say, would strengthen research, education, and extension services.

Railway projects such as the Erode–Chamarajanagar line, which was set aside citing environmental concerns, are being pushed for reconsideration. Other proposed lines, including Sathyamangalam–Gobichettipalayam–Erode and Sathyamangalam–Anthiyur–Mettur, have seen little progress despite surveys being completed. “These projects are essential for industrial growth and overall development,” said P. Vadivel, a resident.

Residents have also highlighted the need to fill vacancies in government colleges in Sathyamangalam and Thalavadi, improve transport services in hilly areas, and strengthen infrastructure to boost employment opportunities.

The constituency has traditionally been a stronghold of the AIADMK, which has won here eight times, compared to three wins for the DMK and one for the CPI. The incumbent, A. Bannari of the AIADMK, is set to face P.L. Sundaram of the CPI, who is said to have a strong base in the hill regions. Other candidates include V.P. Tamil Selvi of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam, and S. Soundarya of the Naam Tamilar Katchi.

While some voters feel that the region has not seen significant development in the past five years, others point to Mr. Sundaram’s accessibility and rapport with the people. “He continued to voice issues regularly,” said a voter in Sathyamangalam. The campaign is expected to centre on both the performance of the State government and assurances to address long-pending issues.

Published – April 01, 2026 10:52 pm IST