Kanniyakumari District Collector M. Prathap on Friday stated that encroachments in waterway channels and waterbodies would be removed without any bias and has directed the officials of the Survey Department to expedite the department’s process for clearing such encroachments.

The Collector observed this at the farmers’ grievance redress meeting held at the district Collectorate.

As several concerns raised at the meeting were focused on encroachments in waterways and waterbodies, and as many of these related to works awaiting survey of the area for further restoration, Mr. Prathap has directed the Survey Department officials to plan a schedule for the next 15 days to complete the process.

At the meeting farmers raised various demands, including the restoration of the reduced Assistant Agricultural officers post in Kanniyakumari district to previous levels, the opening of additional paddy procurement centres, and repair of the damages caused to more than 80 water canals and waterbodies in the district due to NHAI’s four-laning work in the district.

Farmers also demanded effective measures to control diseases affecting coconut trees and sought permission, along with appropriate compensation for the removal of affected trees.

Some farmers expressed concern over the government-approved period for silt removal from waterbodies, stating that the district receives rainfall during this time. They requested the authorities to issue orders permitting silt removal during the February-March period.

Addressing these concerns, Mr. Prathap said that the proposal to restore the number of Assistant Agricultural officers in the district is under government consideration. He added that the agriculture department has started finding suitable places to open additional paddy procurement centre in the upcoming ‘Kannipoo’ season.

Mr. Prathap has also asked the farmers to inform the administration about any suitable locations. He has also directed the officials to take steps to provide equipment, weighing instruments, staff and other infrastructure facilities for the new procurement centre.

He further directed the executive engineer of the Water Resources Department (WRD), project director of NHAI and contractor of the project to expedite work to restore the affected waterbodies.

Speaking on the encroachments in waterbodies, the Collector instructed the WRD officials to submit a report within 15 days.

Stating that the district experiences a different rainfall pattern, he directed the officials to take steps to issue orders permitting silt removal from the waterbodies in March through the official gazette.

District Forest Officer A. Anbu, District Revenue Officer A. Poongothai, and other officials from several other departments were present.