With water discharge stopped in the Kalingarayan Channel for development works, farmers have urged the Water Resources Department (WRD) to remove water hyacinth, garbage and other waste dumped into the channel.

The 91.10-km-long channel, built in 1283 by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan, irrigates 15,743 acres in Erode, Modakkurichi and Kodumudi taluks. It will be opened on June 16 to resume water supply. Development works are currently under way between mile 12/3/348 and 15/4.5/195.

Farmers said household, plastic, and poultry waste was recklessly being dumped into the canal, polluting it. The spread of water hyacinth along several stretches has also affected the flow of water. Heaps of plastic waste and garbage are found in many places. The Department should desilt and clean the channel before releasing water again for irrigation, they said.

A farmer from Konavaikal said on condition of anonymity that the aqueduct bridge, locally known as “Thotti Palam”, located at the 13.7-mile mark of the channel, had not been maintained for several years despite its historical significance.

Considered as the State’s first elevated water bridge, the structure has 13 pillars and 14 arches. Garbage and waste beneath the bridge obstructs the flow of wastewater. Neither the municipal corporation nor the WRD had taken any step to clear the waste or maintain the structure, he alleged.

Meanwhile, members of the Panjalingapuram Uzhavar Mandram have planned a cleaning drive in the channel on May 24. NSS and NCC students from Erode Arts and Science College, along with farmers and members of the public, will participate in the drive from 6.30 a.m. at Panjalingapuram.

A release from the association said the initiative was aimed at protecting the channel, removing waste and ensuring clean water flow for irrigation.