Farmers Demand Clarity on Proposed SIPCOT Project Near Bhavanisagar Dam

Farmers in Tamil Nadu are seeking urgent clarification regarding the proposed SIPCOT industrial estate near the Bhavanisagar Dam. The Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam, a prominent farmers’ association, has expressed deep concerns over conflicting reports about the project’s status. In a letter addressed to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, district secretary T. Subbu highlighted that the dam serves as a crucial irrigation source for approximately 250,000 acres of farmland across the Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur districts. It also provides drinking water for the Erode district, making it essential to the region’s livelihood.

The association is particularly worried about the implications of establishing a 1,080-acre industrial estate in such proximity to the dam. They assert that the project could jeopardize agriculture, water security, and the environment. The letter indicates that preliminary survey works for the project had been conducted under the state government’s initiative to promote industrial development through district-level industrial parks. Yet, conflicting reports suggesting that the project may have been shelved have left farmers in a state of uncertainty.

In their correspondence, the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam demanded a clear statement from the government regarding whether the SIPCOT administration’s assertions hold true or if the project is no longer active. While the farmers support industrial development, they stress the importance of appropriate site selection. They caution that an industrial estate near the dam could negatively impact the Bhavani River and the surrounding farmlands, as well as the biodiversity-rich ecosystem of the adjacent Western Ghats. Concerns extend to potential land, water, and air pollution resulting from industrial activities.

The association referenced the severe degradation of the Noyyal River in the western region as a cautionary tale, warning that similar consequences could befall the Bhavani River. They called for the project to be scrapped at its preliminary stage to prevent any detrimental effects on the environment and local agriculture.

With the livelihoods of many farmers at stake, the Tamilaga Vivasayigal Sangam urged both the state government and district administration to promptly clarify the status of the SIPCOT project. Providing transparent information is vital for alleviating the anxiety currently experienced by the farming community regarding the future of their resources and environment.