Palar River

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Palar is a river of southern India. It rises in Kolar district of Karnataka state, and flows 93 km in Karnataka, 42 km in Andhra Pradesh and 222 km in Tamil Nadubefore its confluence into the Bay of Bengal south of Chennai. It flows as a Guptagamini (underground course) for a long distance only to emerge near Bethamangala town, from where, gathering water and speed, it flows eastward down the Deccan Plateau. The cities of Vaniyambadi, Ambur, Vellore, Arcot,Walajapet (Anaicut), Kanchipuram, and Chingleput are located on banks of Palar River. In all there are seven tributaries. Its chief tributaries are the Ponnai and Cheyyar River.

Palar, an inter-State river, originates in the State of Karnataka, traverses through Andhra Pradesh before entering Tamil Nadu. There are three dams in Karnataka, viz., Bethmangal, Ramsagar and Vishnusagar. In a short run of 42 kilometers of the river in Andhra Pradesh there are 22 check dams. All these have locked away a very large amount of water. During 2002-2004 the flow of water to Tamil Nadu was almost nil.

River Palar is mentioned in Schedule ‘A’ appended to the 1892 agreement. As per Clause II of the agreement, the neighbouring state or states should not construct any dam to obstruct, divert and store water of River Palar, for irrigation or other purposes, without the consent of the Government of Tamil Nadu. However, the Andhra Pradesh Government has proposed to construct an Irrigation Dam across Palar at Ganeshpuram, near Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh.

The action initiated by the Government of Andhra Pradesh to construct a dam on River Palar in Kuppam has caused agony and infuriated the people of the five northern districts of Tamil Nadu, namely, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Tiruvannamalai, Thiruvallur and Chennai.

The construction of a dam on River Palar will cause undue damage and destruction to crops, extreme water scarcity and closing down of industries in the northern districts of Tamil Nadu. River Palar is the only major river of the area. Palar’s short run in Karnataka (93 km) and Andhra Pradesh (42) resulted in excessive and unwarranted advantage taken by both the states. Already three reservoirs in Karnataka impound large amount of Palar water. Andhra Pradesh has built 22 dykes and check-dams in the last five years resulting in locking away of the remaining water.

Thousands of lakes entirely depend on River Palar. In Vellore District alone there are 502 lakes that depend on Palar. Agricultural, industrial and drinking water needs of the five districts have to be met only by River Palar. Whether it is flood or drought, the people of Tamil Nadu are going to be at a loss. This article is by a Palar River activist.