Concerns have been raised over unregulated removal of silt from the Bhavanisagar dam’s reservoir areas near Sirumugai, with residents and farmer representatives warning that excessive digging could pose risks to the dam and its surroundings.
The government has permitted farmers to take silt free of cost for agricultural use, and more than 100 farmers have obtained approvals using land documents. However, complaints allege that tipper lorries are transporting quantities far beyond the permitted limits, sometimes without the farmers’ knowledge, and that deep excavation is being carried out within the reservoir zone.
Residents in areas including Pethikuttai and along the Sirumugai road have also flagged safety issues, saying speeding tipper lorries have led to accident risks. The silt allegedly taken in excess is said to be sold for ₹1,500 to ₹5,000 per load depending on demand, with claims that it is diverted for non-farm uses.
A district leader of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association alleged that documents obtained in farmers’ names are being misused to move many more loads than approved, and called for continuous monitoring by revenue and minerals department officials to verify quantities and destinations. The Coimbatore North Revenue Divisional Officer said an all-party meeting had instructed that silt removal be restricted to 10 am to 4 pm with no night operations, and added that revenue staff are conducting night patrols.
The acting forest ranger of Sirumugai said lorries enter reservoir areas via routes including Pethikuttai and Puthukadu, and while forest routes are closed after permitted hours, vehicles are allegedly using patta lands at night to bypass restrictions. He warned that the activity and related disturbances could threaten wildlife that visits the reservoir area in the evenings for water and food.
