162 encroachments out of 166 on 2.6-km Rajavaikkal supply channel for four decades evicted successfully

In Theni, waterlogging was a major issue due to rain. The district administration stepped in to solve the problem permanently. After inspection, it was found that the Rajavaikkal supply channel had been encroached. The Collector formed a team to evict the encroachments and the debris were moved out in October. The Tamaraikulam Tank may be converted into a space for strolling and boating. Corporate houses and banks have come forward to contribute funds for developing a model park and walkway. Team work has worked out in Theni district and the Collector hopes the public will take care of the supply channel.

Whenever it rained, waterlogging was a big issue for the people of Theni town. The main thoroughfare in and around the bus stand would be inundated. Sometimes, the rainwater had no way to drain that people waded through knee-deep and also hip-deep during intense rains.

The issue gained significance from the health aspect among others and remained a cause of concern for the officials in multiple departments. On many occasions, water remained stagnant for long hours in and around the bus stand posing hardships for the commuters and health hazards also were a major threat due to bad odour.

With an eye on solving the issue permanently, the district administration stepped in.

Collector R.V. Shajeevana with her team of officials convened a meeting in which the Revenue, PWD/WRD, Tangedco, police and municipal departments discussed the ways to solve the waterlogging problem.

Initially, when many officers did not have a clue for the waterlogging, the Collector asked for the records and the one from the Water Resources Department gave them the lead. About 40 years back, whenever it rained, the water flowed through the Rajavaikkal supply channel. Over a period of time, the 2.67-km stretch had been completely encroached and thus the water flowed on the roads, it was pointed out.

The Rajavaikkal supply channel, which was a major source of water for Theni town for drinking and irrigation purposes, was encroached from the start point to the tail-end, field inspections showed.

Officials said that the water would flow along the supply channel from the Valaiyar river and Kottagudi river and pass through underground at the bus stand and flow along the Aranmanai Pudur Road and finally get filled in at the 10-foot-deep Tamaraikulam Tank.