Authorities have completed the final phase of exploration and studies at Mettupalayam, as part of an ambitious plan to control pollution of the Bhavani river water, and to use the purified water for agriculture.

The Urban Finance and Development Corporation have agreed to fund Rs.76.5 crores to the Mettupalayam Municipality to purify the drainage water from residential area, which will be reused for agriculture.

People and farmers of three districts – Coimbatore, Tirupur, and Erode – depend on the water from the Bhavani River. But in the past few years, the river was being polluted by the chemicals and dirt present in the drainage water.

D. Sathishkumar, Chairman of Municipality said that according to the plan, all areas of the 33 wards will be divided into six zones with pushing water stations. Drainage water from the residential areas should be brought to the garbage depot for which 2 acres of land have been allocated at the Sirumugai Road. After purifying, the water should be distributed to the farmers.

A. Priya, a resident of the fishermen area, said that the plan was being eagerly awaited by all. “The pollution was killing all the fishes in the river. Now, the problem will finally be solved,” she said.

R. Suresh, a resident of Ward 57, said that they were protesting for long years to stop the water pollution. “We have finally got the results. We thank all the officials and our supporters,” he said.

Officials involved in the exploration studies include Mr. Rajendran, Vice President of the Tamil Nadu Urban Finance and Development Corporation; Ramaselvi, deputy president of the City Council; Venkatesh, Regional Executive Engineer; and Anand Natraj, Project adviser.