Groundwater Security: Athikadavu-Avinashi Scheme

Policy Update
Aravindsamy R

Background

Groundwater depletion is one of the most pressing challenges in Tamil Nadu’s western districts, particularly Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Erode, which fall in the semi-arid belt of the state. Over the past three decades, unsustainable borewell extraction, irregular rainfall, and shrinking surface water storage have created recurring agrarian distress. Farmers in these regions have historically relied on groundwater for irrigating water-intensive crops such as sugarcane, turmeric, and banana.

In response to longstanding demands from farmer groups and local communities, the Government of Tamil Nadu conceived the Athikadavu–Avinashi Groundwater Recharge and Drinking Water Supply Scheme (AAGRS). Initially announced in the 2008–09 state budget, the project received final administrative sanction in 2018 with a cost of around ₹1,750 crore. The scheme’s primary objective is to divert 1.5 tmcft of surplus water from the Bhavani River during monsoons into local water bodies to rejuvenate aquifers, support agriculture, and partially meet drinking water needs.

The scheme is ambitious in scope, targeting 1,045 ponds, lakes, and tanks across three districts and aiming to stabilize irrigation in over 24,000 acres of farmland. It is also expected to benefit around 9.15 lakh people in drought-prone villages by improving access to drinking water through indirect recharge.

Functioning

The project works on a lift irrigation and diversion model:

Source: Surplus flows from the Bhavani River, tapped downstream of the Kalingarayan Anicut.
Infrastructure:
- Six pumping stations lift water.
- Nearly 1,000 km of pipelines were laid across the three districts.
- Outlet Management Systems (OMS) with solar-powered mechanisms to regulate flow.
- Air valves and distribution outlets to feed tanks, lakes, and ponds.
Coverage:
- Coimbatore district – 299 water bodies.
- Tiruppur district – 357 water bodies.
- Erode district – 389 water bodies.
Operation window: The system is designed to function during monsoon months (roughly 70 days annually), depending on the availability of surplus water in the Bhavani River.

The design intends to maximize groundwater recharge rather than create a direct drinking water supply pipeline. By restoring traditional water bodies, the scheme attempts to build resilience against climate variability and enhance long-term aquifer sustainability.

Performance

The scheme was partially commissioned in March 2023. Early reports highlight both progress and persisting challenges:

The Athikadavu–Avinashi scheme was partially commissioned in March 2023, marking a significant milestone in Tamil Nadu’s long-pending groundwater recharge efforts. Initial implementation demonstrated encouraging results, particularly in Tiruppur and Erode districts where pilot water releases confirmed the technical feasibility of the diversion system. Farmers in several recharge pockets reported noticeable improvements in soil moisture conditions and marginal rises in groundwater levels following the late-2023 releases, reinforcing the project’s potential to mitigate chronic water scarcity in the region. The state’s sustained political commitment—despite the project being delayed for more than a decade since 2008—has been a crucial factor in pushing the scheme towards operationalisation and keeping public attention on rural water security.

However, the project’s performance has also revealed a set of persistent challenges. Water distribution has been uneven, and many intended lakes and ponds across peripheral areas remain dry. Reports from The Hindu (2024) note that capacity constraints, delays in operational synchronisation, and inadequate readiness of several receiving water bodies have hindered uniform recharge. Infrastructure shortcomings have further complicated the situation.

Times of India (2025) reported instances of pipeline leaks, inadequate valve systems, and theft of solar panels from Operation and Maintenance (O&M) stations, all of which have reduced operational efficiency and raised maintenance costs.
More critically, the scheme’s heavy dependence on surplus flows from the Bhavani River has made its functioning seasonal and unpredictable. In June 2024, the Minister for Housing and Urban Development explicitly stated that insufficient flow in the Bhavani prevented full-scale commissioning, highlighting the vulnerability of the project to monsoon variability and hydrological constraints.

Overall, while the Athikadavu–Avinashi scheme has demonstrated early benefits and validated its technical design, its progress remains uneven and significantly influenced by climatic, infrastructural, and administrative factors. The project shows promise but requires sustained investments, stronger operational systems, and better water-flow management to achieve its full intended outcomes.

Impact

Agriculture

While operational, the scheme has stabilized water availability for 24,468 acres of farmland. Farmers cultivating water-intensive crops reported better recharge of wells, which reduced irrigation stress. Enhanced soil moisture is also likely to benefit crop diversity and productivity in the long run.

Groundwater Recharge

Initial field data suggest localized improvements in aquifer levels. According to reports in DT Next (2025), villages that received water into their tanks experienced rising water tables in nearby borewells. However, impacts remain highly uneven, with large stretches of the command area yet to benefit.

Drinking Water Supply

Although the scheme is not a direct drinking water project, indirect recharge of tanks has improved the sustainability of panchayat-level water supply schemes. Around 9 lakh residents in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Erode stand to gain, but the actual reach has so far been limited.

Ecological and Social Benefits

The rejuvenation of ponds has created potential habitats for local biodiversity and can mitigate the urban heat island effect in peri-urban areas. Socially, the scheme has raised hopes in agrarian communities, but unmet expectations in unreached villages have triggered dissatisfaction.

Emerging Issues

Climate Vulnerability: Declining rainfall and erratic monsoon flows threaten the scheme’s dependence on the Bhavani River surplus.
Security Risks: Theft of solar panels, OMS components, and valves has disrupted functioning at several pumping stations (Times of India, March 2025).
Pipeline Fragility: Damage during road construction due to a lack of pipeline route mapping has caused frequent leakages and disruptions.
Encroachment: Pond boundaries face encroachment, with boundary markers destroyed and illegal construction on storage areas (New Indian Express, July 2025).
Governance Gaps: Panchayats and local communities often lack clear information about scheme operations, leading to weak participation.
Equity Concerns: Villages closer to pumping stations or within priority corridors benefit earlier, leaving remote habitations with little or no coverage.

Way Forward

Strengthen Operational Security: Fence OMS units, install CCTV monitoring, and consider community watch groups to prevent theft.
Pipeline Management: Share pipeline route maps with local bodies and utility agencies to minimize accidental damage.
Expand Coverage: Future phases should extend to additional drought-prone areas, with priority to marginalized villages.
Address Encroachments: Conduct joint surveys, mark pond boundaries with GIS, and enforce legal measures to restore water storage capacity.
Community Participation: Establish Water Users’ Associations (WUAs) and Farmer-Producer Organizations (FPOs) to monitor local water body maintenance.
Climate Adaptation: Supplement surplus diversion with decentralized rainwater harvesting, check dams, and recharge wells to reduce vulnerability.
Monitoring and Evaluation: Deploy IoT-based flow meters and groundwater monitoring stations to provide real-time data and enhance transparency.

References

The Hindu. (2024, June 29). Water levels not adequate to commission Athikadavu–Avinashi groundwater recharge project: TN Minister. Retrieved from https://www.thehindu.com
Times of India. (2025, January 24). Many water bodies yet to receive water under Athikadavu–Avinashi scheme. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
Times of India. (2025, March 12). Athikadavu–Avinashi scheme faces operational setbacks amid equipment theft and mismanagement. Retrieved from https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
DT Next. (2025, April 16). Issues in Athikadavu–Avinashi scheme will be resolved soon: Minister Muthusamy. Retrieved from https://www.dtnext.in
New Indian Express. (2025, July 29). Bhavani water eludes several ponds under Athikadavu–Avinashi project. Retrieved from https://www.newindianexpress.com

About the Contributor:

Aravindsamy R is a public policy researcher at the Council of Independent Policy Researchers (CIPR) and a Research Intern at the IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Madras, with research interests in Local governance, Public policy, and social protection policies.

Acknowledgement: The author extends his sincere gratitude to the IMPRI team and Ms. Aasthaba Jadeja for her invaluable guidance throughout the process.

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.