Chennai: The Madras high court has directed authorities to file a report on construction of a check dam across Kollidam river at Kumaramangalam-Aathanur villages in Nagapattinam district.
A division bench comprising Justices R.Mahadevan and M.Govindaraj gave the directive and posted after four weeks, further hearing of a public interest litigation filed by C.Mohankumar from Nagapattinam district.
According to Mohankumar, Kollidam river has rich water resource. Therefore, a number of bore wells was erected and water was distributed through the pipeline to several villages. Now, the groundwater level is depleting. Therefore, a check dam across Kollidam river at Kumaramangalam-Aathanur junction with a capacity of storing 6 tmc feet of water, will enhance the depleting groundwater level and cater to the needs of farmers and solve the drinking water problems faced by villagers.
When the situation reached former chief minister J.Jayalalithaa, she personally analyzed the situation and obtained report from authorities.
Then, she decided to construct a check dam near Kumaramangalam. She had announced on the floor of the Assembly under Rule 110 of the Assembly Rules, allocation of Rs 400 crore for the project on July 4, 2014. However, so far no work was started to construct the check dam.
The village panchayats of Kadalangudi and Thiruchitrambalam had also passed resolutions to construct the check dam. Thereafter, he had sent a representation to the authorities on January 10, 2017. But, there was no response, he added.
