The state government on Tuesday announced creating a new reservoir in Tiruvallur district at the cost of Rs 330 crore to meet the growing drinking water needs of Chennai and its suburbs.

An official press release said chief minister J. Jayalalitha had directed that Kannankottai and Thervoykandigai lakes in Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district be linked and a reservoir created to store one tmc ft of water.

The press release also said a sand dam and a canal would be set up across the longitudinal section of Poondi canal. The canal would help carry water released from Andhra Pradesh catchment areas.

The press release said balancing traps would be set up to regulate water flow across the longitudal section and 1,252 acres of land including 5,60,05 acres of government land would be used for the purpose.

This would facilitate the storage of excess water during rains and help meet the drinking water demands of the city.

Noting that groundwater was being excessively used, the press release said the chief minister has announced various groundwater rejuvenations schemes and projects across the state including Thanjavur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri, Tiruvannamalai and Vellore at the cost of Rs 11.49 crore.

The press release noted that boundaries of Chennai were expanding and the drinking water requirements were also growing and hence the new reservoir.