Desilting operations at the Tirumurthi Dam near Udumalpet in Tiruppur district have resumed following government approval, with residents pressing authorities to enforce strict oversight and prevent misuse of the permission granted to farmers. The work restarted on Friday, 22 August, weeks after a temporary suspension triggered by complaints of irregularities.

Why Tirumurthi Dam Matters

Situated in the Western Ghats, the Tirumurthi Dam draws water from forest rivers and streams, and also receives diversions from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) system. It is a lifeline for agriculture and drinking water supply across Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts. An estimated 3,76,152 acres of farmland benefit from irrigation under the PAP scheme, while an additional 3,044 acres are served through the old ayacut system via the Thali and Vayapalayam canals. Several combined drinking water schemes also depend on the reservoir.

How the Desilting Drive Unfolded

With water levels reduced during the summer season, farmers had sought permission to extract silt accumulated in the reservoir bed — material valued for its nutrient content and potential to improve soil fertility. Work commenced on 27 July, but was suspended on 31 July after complaints alleging irregularities were submitted to the district administration. Authorities conducted on-site inspections before halting the operation.

Farmers subsequently appealed to the government to allow the desilting to continue, arguing that the silt would enhance agricultural productivity. The matter was also raised in the State Legislative Assembly, and permission was eventually granted to resume the operation.

Residents Raise Oversight Concerns

Despite welcoming the resumption, local residents have called for continuous supervision to ensure the permission is not misused. Their specific demands include verification of the quantity of soil removed by each beneficiary, confirmation that silt is being transported only to the agricultural land specified in the individual permit, and checks to identify whether non-farmers or commercial operators are extracting material from the reservoir.

Residents also stressed that officials must ensure only permissible silt is removed, and that gravel, red soil, or other construction materials are not illegally transported from the dam area under the cover of the desilting exercise.

What Proper Desilting Could Achieve

Proponents of the operation argue that if conducted transparently, transferring accumulated silt to farmland could meaningfully improve soil quality, boost crop yields, and strengthen farmers' livelihoods across the command area. The dual benefit — restoring reservoir storage capacity while enriching agricultural land — makes the exercise strategically important for the region's water and food security.

With monitoring mechanisms yet to be formally detailed by authorities, residents and farmer groups are expected to keep pressure on the district administration to ensure enforcement is consistent throughout the operation.