Madras HC directs officials to decide on Kalingarayan Canal water release within two weeks

The Madras High Court has directed the Erode district administration and the Water Resources Department (WRD) to decide within two weeks on a petition seeking the release of water into the Kalingarayan Canal, after considering the views of other parties drawing water from the Bhavanisagar Dam.

Justice P.T. Asha passed the orders on October 15 on a petition filed by S. Palanikumar, president of Kalingarayan Mathagu Pasana Vivasayigal Sabai No. 4. A copy of the order was available on Saturday (October 17, 2026).

According to the association, the Kalingarayan Canal irrigates 15,743 acres in Erode district. Water has not been released into the canal during the regular irrigation season this year because of renovation works, leaving standing crops under stress.

During 2026-27, without considering the impact of El Niño, 8.812 tmc ft of water was released from the Bhavanisagar Dam to the Thadapalli and Arakkankottai canals for 120 days, from April 27 to August 24, for the first crop season, the association said. It alleged that 3.14 tmc ft of water was released from the Kundah hydropower stations and the Bhavanisagar Dam into the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) Canal for special irrigation between August 15 and September 1, 2026, without a Government Order.

Citing Public Works Department Government Order No. 2647 dated November 2, 1966, the association said water should be supplied to the Kalingarayan Canal continuously for 320 days, from June 16 to April 30, every year. It also alleged that the water released into the Kalingarayan Canal for 15 days, from July 14 to 28, did not reach tail-end farmers at Chitta Pulla Palayam.

The association said it had petitioned the district administration and the Water Resources Department on September 1 seeking the release of water. As no action was taken, it approached the High Court to protect the standing crops. Citing the availability of water in the Bhavanisagar Dam and satisfactory rainfall in the Nilgiris hills, the association urged the authorities to release water into the canal immediately.