Residents oppose road cutting to lay new water pipelines in Tirupattur

Residents of Kodayanchi village staged a protest against damage of newly laid bitumen village road to lay water pipelines between Palar River and Vaniyambadi municipality in Tirupattur on Tuesday.

Residents said that the new stretch in the village was re-laid after many years. The village road is a key route for at least 10 surrounding farming villages, including Amballur, Rama Naickenpetti, Periyapatti, and Kodayanchi to reach big towns like Vaniyambadi, Jolarpet, and Ambur in the district. “The stretch is also a key government bus route. Ambulances can reach farming villages by using the stretch. Alternative routes should be identified to lay new water pipelines for Vaniyambadi municipality,” said B. Ashok, a resident.

At present, the large water pipelines between Palar riverbed and Vaniyambadi town, a distance of around 3.5 km, was laid many decades ago. These pipelines were laid in the middle of narrow carriageways, especially in Periyapatti and Kodayanchi villages.

Over the years, damage to the pipelines has resulted in water seepage and damage to bitumen roads. As a result, the Vaniyambadi municipality had decided to replace old pipelines with new ones. “Currently, Vaniyambadi town requires 8 MLD (million liters per day) to meet its needs. The new water pipelines will help supply water for over one lakh consumers daily. At present, water is supplied on alternative days,” A. Muthusamy, Commissioner In-charge, Vaniymabadi municipality, told The Hindu.

Accordingly, under Kalaignar Nagarpura Mempattu Thittam’ (KNMT) 2025-26, the work to lay new water pipelines was proposed at a cost of ₹4.75 crore by the civic body a few months ago. Work commenced in March but was stopped due to Assembly polls and objections by residents of Kodayanchi village.

Subsequently, residents gave petitions to the District Collector, Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), and other government officials to stop digging of village roads for the pipeline work. Municipal officials said that with the elections getting over, private contractors resumed work to lay pipelines on key stretches in these villages. Earthmovers were roped in to dig deep trenches to remove old pipelines and replace them with new ones. The work is expected to be completed in a week.

However, residents protested against the work on the stretch where pipeline work was initiated. Residents said that the new pipeline work will not damage recently laid carriageways. However, it will make them take a detour of at least 15 km to reach towns like Vaniyambadi, Jolarpet, and Ambur. Pipeline work will also halt bus services to villages.

Police and revenue officials pacified agitated residents. A peace committee has been formed to identify a permanent solution to the road cutting issue.