K Bhanuchander, a farmer, has been upset ever since the water resources department (WRD) issued a notice about building a new bridge over the Kalingarayan canal in Erode in April.“The aqueduct here is 750 years old,” says Bhanuchander, the author of ‘Kalingarayan: Nathi Neer Enaippin Muthalvan’. “The bridge over the Perumpallam stream at Karaivaikkal is among the oldest archaeological bridges in Tamil Nadu.”The bridge was repaired 222 years ago by British engineer George Reed, and the aqueduct has been functioning well, save for a few minor leaks in some places, says Bhanuchander. “The leaks can be fixed without demolishing the aqueduct.”Other farmers too have urged the WRD to explore alternatives to demolition, preserve the upper aqueduct, have it looked at by the Archaeological Survey of India to declare it an ancient monument and showcase it as an example of Tamil engineering excellence.The Kalingarayan Dam is the second-oldest in Tamil Nadu. The Kalingarayan canal, which originated here, once ran for 143km from Bhavani to Karur, linking the Bhavani, Noyyal, Amaravathi and Cauvery rivers. At present, the canal runs for 91km, connecting the Bhavani and Noyyal rivers and flowing from Kalingarayanpalayam to Avudaiyarparai.According to the International Commission on Irrigation & Drainage, the canal is one of the oldest river-linking projects and recognised as a World Heritage Irrigation Structure. The Kalingarayan anicut is also the oldest across the river Bhavani.One of the biggest issues with the canal is pollution, say farmers, because of dumping of household waste and effluent discharge from textile dyeing units. “The govt was to build an effluent treatment plant but that never happened and sewage flows into the river. That can be done instead of destroying heritage. Or a new bridge can be built near the old one instead of demolishing it,” says a farmer.
