Chennai, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) has revealed its intention to undertake a drone survey along the Nallaru River in the Tiruppur district to pinpoint encroachments that have reduced and contaminated the river.

The Nallaru, which begins from streams in Annur in the Coimbatore district, stretches approximately 27 kilometers before flowing into Nanjarayan Lake in Tiruppur and merging with the Noyyal River.

Once a crucial source of fresh water, the river has now transformed into a sewage channel, with social activists claiming widespread encroachments and unregulated wastewater discharge.

In response to a petition filed by social activist A. Saravanan via the ‘Mudhalvarin Mugavari’ grievance redressal platform, the WRD has devised a strategy to utilize drone technology to assess the extent of encroachments.

This survey will be conducted in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India).

A senior WRD official stated that this initiative is part of broader discussions aimed at revitalizing the river. “We are dedicated to cleaning the Nallaru and eliminating encroachments. A proposal has been submitted to the government for river surface cleaning under the Nadanthai Vaazhi Cauvery project. Additionally, another proposal seeks consent to establish sewage treatment plants (STPs) along the riverbanks through the Tiruppur Corporation,” the official noted.

He emphasized that work will commence upon obtaining approval and funding.

Saravanan, who has been advocating for the river's revival, highlighted that encroachments are particularly severe in areas such as Avinashi, TM Poondi, Angeripalayam, Vengamedu, Poyampalayam, and Pichampalayam.

“The river's width has diminished in several sections, and sewage contamination has turned it into a polluted stream. Immediate government intervention is crucial to restore its health,” he asserted.

Environmentalists have applauded the drone survey initiative, indicating that technology can aid in creating an accurate evaluation of the river’s status. However, they warned that effective enforcement and timely execution of restoration efforts will be vital to reclaim the Nallaru as a viable freshwater source rather than allowing it to deteriorate into a sewage drain.