Tamil Nadu to build Rs 1,000 crore dams, anicuts in 3 years

Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Wednesday announced a scheme to construct check dams and anicuts worth Rs 1,000 crores to be implemented in three years to improve the ground water table and to supply water from rivers to lakes.

In the current year, 10 anicuts and 75 check dams would come up at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crores, he said while replying to the debate on demand for grants to the PWD ministry which is under him.

On the Cauvery issue, Palaniswami said the case would come up for hearing in the Supreme Court on July 11 and the state government would insist on the formation of the Cauvery Management Board. Similarly, an execution petition for strengthening the baby dam to increase the storage level in the Mullaiperiyar dam would come up in the apex court in July, since Kerala is refusing to cooperate for the strengthening works.

On the linking of rivers in the state, the Chief Minister said the land acquisition process for the Thamiraparani, Karumeniyar and Nambiyar project is in progress and the scheme for connecting Cauvery, Agniyar, Vellar, Manimuthar, Vaigai and Guntar is under consideration. An environmental impact report for linking river Pennai with Palar and Cheyyar is being prepared, he noted.

The Centre had approved the project report for the modernisation of the Cauvery basin at an estimate of Rs 2,298 crores, he informed and another project to improve the delta irrigation at a cost of Rs 14,500 is under consideration, the Chief Minister said.

The works to desilt and broaden Adyar to prevent floods and renovation of Vegavadhi river in Kanchipuram is progressing, he said. He also announced flood prevention projects in Cuddalore would be taken up at a cost of '140 crores.

A new water body at Perambalur for irrigation of 4,194 acres is being formed and another water body at Tiruvallur is being formed by connecting two lakes to provide drinking water to Chennai, he said.

Mettur Kizhakkukarai canal at the Chief Minister's constituency Edappadi would be renovated at an estimated amount of Rs 49 crores and Tiruppur canal and the Vadavar extension canal at Tiruvarur district would also be renovated. A new lake at Erode would be dug at an estimated cost of Rs 65 crores.

Velachery lake in Chennai and eight lakes in the Chief Minister's district of Salem, Vaduvur lake in Tiruvarur and Vandiyur Kanmai in Madurai would be renovated, he said.  The Chief Minister said the parks at Solaiyar dam and Thirumurthy dam would be renovated for the benefit of tourists.