Deterioration of Noyyal, human-animal conflict, civic infrastructure gaps emerge as key issues in Thondamuthur

A mix of urban and rural segments, the Thondamuthur Assembly constituency heads into the election with concerns ranging from the deterioration of River Noyyal and rising human-animal conflict to civic infrastructure gaps in its urban areas.

The constituency spans seven town panchayats — Thondamuthur, Dhaliyur, Vedapatti, Pooluvapatti, Alanthurai, Thenkarai, and Perur — along with seven village panchayats under the Thondamuthur union, including Devarayapuram, Thenammanallur, Vellamalaipattinam, Narasipuram, Jagir Naickenpalayam, Ikkarai Boluvampatti, and Madhavarayapuram. Parts of the Coimbatore Corporation, such as R.S. Puram, Selvapuram, Kuniyamuthur, and Sundakkamuthur, also fall within its limits.

Agriculture continues to shape the local economy, with coconut, banana, vegetables, and turmeric as the main crops. The areca sheath industry has emerged as a parallel activity, with units producing plates and bowls catering to steady market demand. Raw sheaths fetch around ₹65 per kg before processing, adding value to farm produce.

Farmers say the changing condition of the Noyyal river has altered cultivation patterns. Flowing from the Western Ghats, the river now reaches the plains in a polluted state and carries water largely during the monsoon.

V.T. Valluvan, an organic farmer, said the river once sustained agriculture through a network of tributaries that recharged wells and maintained groundwater levels. “Today, farmers depend on borewells, with water levels falling to 700 to 900 feet. Sewage discharge and lack of protection for bunds and catchment areas have affected the river system,” he said. He noted that the block has about 4,500 hectares under coconut, 2,000 hectares under areca nut, and a total cultivated area of around 12,500 hectares.

Concerns over waste management and unchecked sewage discharge persist. Activists point to poor segregation practices and dumping of waste, including in unused wells, in several localities. Expansion of real estate in peri-urban areas has added pressure on land and water resources. Farmers are also shifting towards areca nut cultivation due to steady demand, a trend that reduces crop diversity and increases reliance on groundwater.

Villages along the Boluvampatti reserve forest continue to face human-animal conflict. P. Kandasamy, State general secretary of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Sangam, said wild elephants frequently enter farmlands and villages, leading to crop damage and human deaths. Wild boar, deer, and peacocks also damage crops. He said the issue has been raised before the Madras High Court on multiple occasions. “The Forest Department lacks adequate manpower and modern equipment. Farmers in Thondamuthur, Narasipuram, Karadimadai, Nathegoundenpudur, Madhavarayapuram, and Vellamalaipattinam have been seeking long-term measures,” he said.

He added that compensation for crop damage is capped at ₹25,000 and does not reflect actual losses, besides delays in disbursal due to fund constraints.

In the urban stretches, road congestion and drainage issues remain key concerns. Encroachments have narrowed roads in areas such as Selvapuram and Karumbukadai, with residents seeking traffic regulation and road widening. Representatives of the Karumbukadai–Saramedu area association said over 200 encroachments line the Saramedu Main Road.

Drainage infrastructure remains inadequate in several pockets, including Kovaipudur and Kuniyamuthur. Residents said clogged stormwater drains and poor maintenance lead to sewage stagnation during rains, affecting mobility and daily activity.

Electorally, the constituency has largely favoured the AIADMK, which has won seven of the 11 elections since 1977. Its allies, the Tamil Maanila Congress and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, have secured one victory each, while the DMK and its ally, the Communist Party of India (Marxist), have won once each.

After the 2008 delimitation, the Perur constituency was merged with Thondamuthur. AIADMK’s S.P. Velumani has held the seat since 2011, winning three consecutive terms.

Though long seen as an AIADMK stronghold, the segment voted for the DMK in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, indicating a shift in voter preference.

S.P. Velumani is seeking a fourth term. The DMK has fielded N.R. Karthikeyan, while Naam Tamilar Katchi has nominated Z. Rajabu Nisha, and Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam has fielded Satheesh Raju.

Published – April 07, 2026 11:04 pm IST