Chennai, Oct 4 (NationPress) The farmers of the Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP) are eagerly awaiting the Tamil Nadu government's issuance of a long-awaited government order (GO) to release Rs 10 crore for the crucial dredging of the canal network.

During a meeting in Tiruppur on August 11, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin assured the farmers that the necessary funds would be allocated. However, nearly two months later, the funds remain unapproved, leaving the tail-end regions dry and the cultivators in a state of uncertainty.

The farmers had presented a comprehensive list of demands during the Chief Minister's visit, emphasizing the immediate need for cleaning and desilting of the canals.

They expressed concerns that excessive silt buildup and various obstacles were significantly hindering water flow, which in turn is disrupting irrigation schedules, particularly in areas relying on the tail-end of the extensive PAP system.

In response, Chief Minister Stalin committed to providing Rs 10 crore for dredging operations before the subsequent water release.

Despite this promise, the administrative procedures have been slow, causing delays.

Officials from the PAP Planning Committee and the Water Resources Department (WRD) stated that they are still waiting for clearance from the Finance department to issue the GO.

Without this clearance, dredging operations cannot commence.

"Dredging canals in the PAP area is critical at this time, especially given the sporadic rainfall and natural barriers that impede water delivery to the fields," remarked Medical K. Paramasivam, Chairman of the PAP Planning Committee.

"We urged the Chief Minister to allocate the necessary funds, and he promptly agreed. The third round of water has already been released for the fourth zone, but we must complete dredging before we can send water to the first zone," he continued.

He further appealed to the state government to consider making this allocation an annual provision, similar to what is done in the Cauvery delta, asserting that regular maintenance of the canals is vital for ensuring timely water supply.

A senior WRD official confirmed that a project estimate was submitted shortly after the Chief Minister's announcement, and the file is currently with the Finance department.

"A government order should be issued soon," the official stated.

"We plan to commence dredging once the fourth zone's water release concludes, as there is typically a 45-day interval before water is allocated to the first zone."

The farmers are hopeful that the funds will be processed swiftly to ensure that this essential preparatory work can begin on schedule, allowing water to reach all required areas when needed.