COIMBATORE: A 2.86-acre water body at Subbanaickenpudur near Chinnavedampatti has been encroached upon by a contractor working on the underground drainage (UGD) project of the Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation (CCMC). The contractor has elevated the surface by dumping large quantities of soil, effectively closing the tank and converting the land into a worksite.
The waterbody, known as Subbainaickenpudur Tank, is located in Chinnavedampatti revenue village under Ward 13 of the CCMC. The leveled land is now being used for manufacturing cement pipes required for the UGD scheme, storing of construction materials and housing labourers.
An electricity connection has also been obtained for the premises on the waterbody land.
Despite the clear conversion of the tank bed to prevent rainwater stagnation and its ongoing commercial use, no government authority has taken steps to remove the encroachment. On the contrary, the corporation administration has permitted the contractor to utilise the waterbody land for a period of two years.
Farmers whose lands surround the tank say the waterbody earlier played a vital role in irrigation and groundwater recharge in the area. K Sivakumar, a farmer from Subbanaickenpudur who owns two acres near the tank, said the situation has deteriorated sharply after the tank was leveled.
“Farmlands around the tank used to benefit from the improved groundwater levels. After the contractor was allowed to use the land and raise its surface, groundwater has depleted significantly. The pH level of water in my well has increased drastically, making it unusable. Even though I have a well, I am forced to cultivate maize solely depending on rainwater,” he said.
He added that he, along with other farmers and residents, has been approaching the CCMC officials and the revenue department for more than a year seeking retrieval of the waterbody land, but no concrete action has been taken.
S Palanisamy, president of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, criticised the permission granted to the contractor. “Any waterbody land cannot be converted for other purposes, even if the work is meant for public development. Yet the authorities have boldly allowed the contractor to occupy the land. Ironically, an electricity connection has also been provided.
The encroachment must be removed without further delay and the contractor should be punished for levelling the tank,” he said.
In reply, Coimbatore North tahsildar K Jayakumar said, “The land (plot no 265) is classified as government poramboke land as per Village ‘A’ Register and is marked as a kuttai with an area of 1.16 ha. According to the field map, the tank is part of a footpath and a graveyard.
A wire mesh has been constructed around the tank at an estimated cost of `8 lakh. A notice board has been put up on behalf of the Coimbatore corporation informing of the details. A private company has been engaged in preparing the underground pipe required for the corproation’s sewerage project, and materials required for the project are being dumped in the area. A field inspection revealed that there is a temporary shelter, toilets and an office for the workers working on the project.
As per the field survey and the report of the Chinnavedampatti village administrative officer, it is learnt that the inner part of the pond is under the control of the CCMC, and a solution has been sought through the corporation.” Despite repeated attempts, CCMC Commissioner Katta Ravi Teja was not available for comment.
