Farmers protest by stepping into the Vettar river near Vadakarai Panchayat in Nagapattinam
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Farmers and residents from over 30 villages staged protests on both banks of the Vettar river in Nagapattinam district on Friday (May 23, 2025), opposing the construction of a ₹49.5-crore regulator at Uthamasolapuram village in Thirumarugal block.

The regulator, aimed at preventing seawater intrusion, is being constructed by the Water Resources Department, and preliminary work has already commenced.

Protests were held on the southern bank at Vadakarai village in Thirumarugal block and on the northern bank at Boothangudi in Keezhvelur block.

The protest was led by S.R. Tamil Selvan of the Tamizhaga Vivasayigal Pathukappu Sangam. Farmers also entered the Vettar river demanding that the regulator be relocated to an alternative site.

Farmers allege that the project site would adversely affect agriculture and groundwater in Uthamasolapuram, Narimanam, Vadakarai, Boothangudi, Palakkadu, Vadakkudi, Perungadambanoor, and surrounding villages.

Police personnel from Nagore and Keezhvelur intervened and detained 122 protesters.