Dharapuram constituency hit by water shortage for irrigation, groundwater depletion

Shortage of water for both irrigation and drinking purposes, depletion of aquifer, and pollution caused to Amaravathi river due to diversion of waste water by urban local bodies have been the major issues in Dharapuram Assembly (Reserved) segment.

About one quarter of the population in the constituency constitute SCs, and rural voters account for nearly 60 percent.

Since the rainfall accrual is low from both the Southwest and Northeast monsoons, groundwater has been overexploited in most parts of the constituency.

The Amaravathi river that runs through the constituency has been witnessing pollution due to diversion of wastewater by Dharapuram Municipality and other local bodies.

The Uppar Dam irrigates 6060 acres through the 12.47 km right flank canal and 17.29 km left flank canal.

Ramalingasamy, a farmer, rues that absence of special subsidies for agricultural activities in the dry region where paddy and sugarcane crops are raised predominantly has aggravated the predicament of the farmers further.

Residents of Manakadavu in Dharapuram have expressed dismay over the environmental pollution caused by stone quarries.

Another major problem faced by the farmers in the constituency is the death of livestock caused by wandering dogs.

Major water projects are long overdue for the constituency, according to Velu, a drumstick farmer of Mulanur.

Cold storages for stocking vegetables are also a necessity, he adds.

In the 2021 Assembly election, MLA and State Minister Kayalvizhi N. Selvaraj defeated her nearest rival L. Murugan of BJP by a slender margin of 1393 votes, which was lesser than the 1904 NOTA votes.

The general public are ranged against the move by SIPCOT to redevelop a 57-acre defunct spinning mill for starting non-polluting industries at Kolathupalayam.

Their apprehension is that waste water will be let into Amaravathi river through Kolinjivadi Ayacut Irrigation canal.

The constituency depends on canal water for irrigation.

Over the last five years, the start of the Government Arts and Science College has, to a considerable extent, fulfilled the higher educational needs of the people in the constituency.The students, otherwise, had to travel to Udumalpet or Kangayam for college studies.However, shortage of faculty remains a pressing problem.

The same is the case with the upgraded Dharapuram Government Hospital where the medical and support staff are far inadequate for the 250 in-patient bed strength.

The constituency is set to witness a direct fight between DMK and AIADMK. The DMK has fielded Indrani and the AIADMK candidate is P. Sathyabama. Divya of NTK and S. Gowry of TVK are also in the fray.