Call to save river Bhavani echoes as Mettupalayam braces for poll

Saving River Bhavani, which has been polluted and has become a dry bed of sand along considerable stretches towards Sirumugai, is at the top of demands from voters as the largely agrarian landscape of Mettupalayam constituency faces the Assembly election.

The river, originating in the Nilgiris and flowing 216 km through four districts, has over 20 combined drinking water schemes connected to it between Pillur and Lower Bhavani (Bhavanisagar reservoir). It has almost dried up, with water stagnating in small pits between Mettupalayam town and Sirumugai from the first week of March in the ongoing summer.

“Several combined drinking water projects, which draw water from the Bhavani between this stretch, are affected as there is no proper flow of water below Samayapuram barrage for about 10 km towards Lower Bhavani. The minimal flow of water from River Kallar, which drains into the Bhavani below the barrage, is keeping the river alive. If the critical flow of water is not maintained, the river and its ecosystem will eventually die,” said T. T. Rangasamy, president of the Bhavani River Water and Groundwater Protection Committee. 

Discharge of sewage from Mettupalayam town into the Bhavani is another threat faced by the river. “Besides treating the river as a source of water for people, it also has to be seen as an ecosystem, supporting various aquatic species. The river needs to be protected for them as well,” said U. Masthan of Mettupalayam Consumer Protection Council.

Sathish Kumar, a resident of Moolathurai near Sirumugai, said, “Farmers who have been drawing water from the river are now cleaning old wells as an alternative. Many have dug up new borewells and repaired old ones.”

Different varieties of banana, curry leaf, areca nut, tomato and other vegetables are being cultivated in villages in the constituency. Places along the side of Bhavani and on the banks of the water storage area of the reservoir at Sirumugai are known for the cultivation of banana.

Serving as a gateway to the Nilgiris, Mettupalayam town suffers from traffic congestion, especially during weekends, holidays, and festival seasons. “The long-pending demand for an alternative road from Kuttaiyur to Odanthurai to bypass the congested town remains unfulfilled,” pointed out Mr. Masthan.

S. Basha, one of the organisers of Namma Mettupalayam Social Welfare Committee, said that shifting of the wholesale potato market from the town to another location, similar to the vegetable market on Annur Road at Jadayampalayam, can ease the congestion.

“Construction of a road over bridge across the railway line at Shanthi Nagar, and closure of Tasmac outlets around the bus stand are among issues concerning residents. Since human-elephant conflict is intense in the region, the Forest Department should open ‘Vezham’ elephant interpretation centre at Odanthurai on Kotagiri Road, construction of which has been completed,” he said.

The construction of a flyover on Mettupalayam – Ooty Road at Kallar to aid elephant crossing, supportive measures for weavers of Sirumugai, the establishment of industrial parks for value-added products from banana and curry leaf, immediate completion of a bridge across the Kanthayar at Lingapuram are among other demands of the public.

The AIADMK has announced that its veteran O.K. Chinnaraj, who had three consecutive victories from Mettupalayam, will contest for the NDA this time, replacing the incumbent A.K. Selvaraj.