Effluent discharge into River Thirumanimutharu a major issue in Veerapandi

Veerapandi has seen serious election battle between the DMK and the AIADMK since 1977. The AIADMK has won the constituency eight times (1977, 1980, 1984, 1991, 2001, 2011, 2016, and 2021) and the DMK six times (1962, 1967, 1971, 1989, 1996, and 2006). The Congress won in 1957. The constituency covers a portion of the Salem South taluk, Veerapandi, Panamarathupatti blocks, and the Elampillai, Attaiyampatti, and Mallur town panchayats.

The constituency primarily houses farmers cultivating millets, sugarcane, flowers, and vegetables. The main support for farming is the Thirumanimutharu, a river in which effluents are discharged from illegal dyeing units, forcing farmers to use groundwater and other water sources.  

Residents demand stern action be taken to prevent effluents entering the river. S. Rajendran, a resident of Poolavari, said in Veerapandi alone, farmers cultivate over 10,000 acres. But, Thirumanimutharu is now polluted due to the discharge of effluents. “When a complaint is submitted to the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, they will seal the unit. But after a few days, these units start to function in other places and continue to discharge effluents,” said Mr. Rajendran. Due to this, coconut has become the main crop in Poolavari, Ariyanoor, Palampatti, Pairoji, and Sithaneri, he added.

The Panamarathupatti lake, spread across over 2,137 acres, has remained dry for years due to encroachments in the paths of water coming to the lake. R. Gunasekaran, a resident of Panamarathupatti, said that farmers have demanded to remove the encroachments and retrieve the lake. Though political parties ensure every time to rejuvenate the lake and convert it into a tourist spot, no action has been taken. “If the surplus of Mettur Dam is pumped into the lake, the groundwater level will increase, farmers will receive water for irrigation, and the Panamarathupatti Panchayat Union would get uninterrupted drinking water,” he added.

J. Prakash, a resident, said that the lake at Elampillai had dried up due to encroachments. The water from this lake can pass to Naduvaneri, Magudanchavadi, and Mallasamudram in Namakkal district. “No action has been taken to remove encroachment and to bring water to the lake,” he said.

Demanding a railway underpass at Malankadu in Neikarapatti panchayat, P. Raja said that for the past 40 years, residents of 20 villages are crossing the railway line to reach the Salem-Coimbatore National Highway or Kondalampatti. But, the railways began to install fences on both sides of the track. “If the fence is installed, people must cross an additional three kilometres via Puthur to reach the national highway,” he said, adding that over 5,000 families in these villages have announced a boycott of the elections.

P. Jaya, a resident of Vembadithalam, said that due to the narrow railway underpass at Vembadithalam, people wait in queues at the one-way underpass to reach Kakapalayam or Attaiyampatti. Water stagnates at the underpass, being used for the past 42 years, during rain, causing inconvenience, she added, and sought the construction of a flyover instead of the underpass.

In the constituency, AIADMK has fielded S. Sri Balaji Sukumar, A.K. Tharun is contesting for DMK, M.S. Palanivel for TVK and Rajeshkumar for NTK. Expecting a four-corner fight, AIADMK cadre said this time too the AIADMK will win. DMK cadre shared that the able leadership of the Chief Minister will bring victory.

Published – April 04, 2026 11:36 pm IST