3 months ago
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With the aqueduct of the 743-year-old Kalingarayan Canal crossed the Perumpallam canal slated for demolition to pave the mode for a caller structure, farmers person urged the State authorities to driblet the determination and state it a protected monument.
The canal, built successful the 13th period by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan, irrigates 15,743 acres and is among the region’s oldest interlinking projects. The aqueduct, known arsenic Karai Vaikkal, has developed seepage and has been deemed structurally unsafe. The Water Resources Department has sanctioned ₹83.30 crore for renovation of a three-mile stretch, including demolition of the existing aqueduct and operation of a caller one. Work is acceptable to statesman connected April 1, 2026, aft h2o merchandise is stopped connected March 31.
Farmers representing the Kalingarayan Kalvai Pasana Vivasayigal opposed the demolition, calling the aqueduct a practice structure. On Thursday (February 19, 2026), they, on with members of assorted governmental parties, gathered astatine the site, prepared pongal, offered prayers and raised slogans against the move. They besides sought measures to forestall effluents and household discarded from entering the canal.
Farmers said the aqueduct is an engineering marvel and noted that Scottish doc and surveyor Francis Buchanan, successful his 1807 publication, had described the canal arsenic an outstanding engineering work. They stressed that the centuries-old structure, inactive successful use, should beryllium preserved.
