Latest news with #WaterResourceDepartment
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Madurantakam tank, one of the ancient and large water bodies in Chengalpattu district, set for a makeover by September
Madurantakam tank, one of the largest water bodies in Chengalpattu district, will finally receive its long-awaited makeover. The Water Resource Department is set to restore the water body with an additional storage capacity in two months and reduce inundation in surrounding localities. The tank, which has a historical significance and constructed across the Kiliyar river (Palar river's tributary), is undergoing a major restoration worth nearly Rs.172.66 crore after several years. Though the work was initiated in June 2022, the project has missed a few deadlines in the past two years. They wanted the works to be completed soon as it was a vital source of drinking water and irrigation needs for several villages in Madurantakam. an organic farmer in Madurantakam, said, 'My house is within one km from the tank. The dried-up water body last year had an impact on groundwater level that dropped by up to 10 feet. This year, the tank has water. It must be rejuvenated soon to help irrigate lands in villages dependent on it.' Spread over 1,058 hectares, the tank would soon be able to store nearly 791 million cubic feet once the work is completed. According to the department, extreme weather events between 2022 and 2024, including cyclone Michaung, pushed the deadline beyond two years. The deadline was extended to September 2025 to complete the work. Officials of the WRD said the tank would have an enhanced storage capacity after 1985-86. Nearly 90% of the work, including deepening the tank bed, repairing damaged sluices and forming new foreshore bund for 18.5 km, has been finished so far. The foreshore bund would prevent inundation of agricultural lands in the vicinity. The tank's weirs have been remodelled to facilitate more storage space. 'We have completed 92% of the work to construct a spillway with 12 radial shutters. This will be a dam-like structure to control release of floodwater when the tank touches its full level. It will have a capacity to discharge up to 1.12 lakh cubic feet per second of water,' said an official. The department has also accelerated work to improve Nelvoy Maduvu channel and Kiliyar river, which bring water to Madurantakam tank. The project is expected to improve access of drinking water to 38 villages, including Vedanthangal and Pudupattu, and irrigate nearly 3,077.47 hectare of land three times a year. The facelift would also revive the tank as a habitat for migratory birds. There are also plans to add recreational facilities along with the Tourism department in the second phase.
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Delay in Anathanar canal water release leaves farmers in distress
Despite the repeated assurance from the Water Resource Department (WRD)that water would be released into Anathanar canal by the second week of June, the release has been delayed due to the ongoing restoration near Surulacode. As a result crops are withering, leaving the farmers in distress. Following the release of water from the Pechiparai dam on June 1 for the irrigation purposes across the district, farmers continue to express their concerns over the restoration of 'Ulli Odai' brook at the Anathanar canal near Surulacode may further delay the water supply into the canal. This concern was raised during the farmers' grievance redressal meeting as well. However, the official from the WRD department assured that the brook would be restored shortly and water would be released by the second week of June. During that time the WRD officials attributed the delay to a shortage of materials needed for the restoration work. Due to continued non-release of water, paddy fields and crops are withering in Siramadamam and other villages of Thovalai taluk. Chenbagasekara Pillai, a farmer of Thuvarankadu stated that around 9,987 acres of agricultural land are being irrigated through Ananthanar canal directly and indirectly. 'The district administration and WRD department are carrying out restoration at their own pace, without considering the plight of farmers and importance of timely irrigation,' he added. He noted that the paddy varieties sown in the region, mainly 'Ambai 16' and 'TPS 5' have a growth duration of 110 days. With over 35 days already elapsed and no water supply, farmlands have begun to crack due to dryness. 'There will be no use even if the water is released now. The farmers cannot achieve the maximum yield,' said Mr. Chenbagasekara Pillai.
New Indian Express
04-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
Farmers in TN urge dredging of PAP main canal to curb water wastage before release to fourth zone
TIRUPPUR: Farmers in Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts who are benefitting from the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) have urged the Water Resource Department (WRD) to dredge its entire main canal before opening water to the fourth zone to prevent wastage. The 124-kilometre-long main canal starts from the Thirumoorthy Dam located in Udumalaipet in Tiruppur district and ends at Vellakovil on the border of Tiruppur district. About 3.77 lakh acres coming under PAP is divided into four irrigation zones. The fourth zone comprises around 94,000 acres of farmlands from mile 1 to 124 of the main canal. S Paramasivam, Tiruppur District President of Tamil Nadu Coconut Farmers Association, said, "PAP irrigates around 4.25 acres of agricultural land in Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts. Out of which, about 3.77 lakh acres are irrigated by water from the Thirumoorthy Dam." "The main canal has branch and distributary canals extending to more than 1,000 km. Around 75% of the main canal is currently in a damaged state. In addition, in most places, the distributary and branch canals are also in a damaged state. Due to this, water wastage is high. Previously, a round of water would be distributed for only 21 days. Currently, it takes 29 days for one round of water supply due to water wastage," he added.
The Hindu
23-04-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Monitoring officer reviews desilting and widening of waterbodies in Kanniyakumari
Kanniyakumari District Monitoring Officer Hanish Chabbra conducted a meeting with the department officials on Wednesday to assess the progress of desilting and widening of waterbodies, being carried out across the district. During the meeting Mr. Chabbra informed that Kanniyakumari district comprises a total 724 waterbodies. Among them Agasteeswaram taluk has six, Thovalai 52, Kalkulam 239, Thiruvattar 99, Vilavancode 233 and Killiyoor has 95 waterbodies. Of these 443 water bodies are managed by the Water Resource Department, 234 by town panchayats and 47 by village panchayats. He emphasised the desilting of these waterbodies through joint efforts involving government, NGO's and farmers associations under schemes such as 'Namakku Naame.' He noted that such efforts would benefit farmers significantly and help improve the groundwater level. Additionally, Mr Chabbra pointed out that proper maintenance of waterbodies would prevent flooding in residential areas during disasters. He instructed that all waterbodies must be cleared of debris, bushes and encroachments before the onset of monsoon. Executive Engineers of the Public Works Department have been assigned the responsibility of regularly monitoring these water bodies. Also by doing this, water was prevented from entering residential areas during disaster times and these waterbodies should be monitored by the executive engineers of the PWD department. All the waterbodies must be cleared of debris, bushes and encroachments before the onset of monsoon. He also directed the officials to permit farmers to take topsoil from tanks during the desilting process, as it would be useful for agricultural purposes. District Collector R. Alagumeena, District Revenue Officer J. Balasubramanian, Padmanabhapuram Sub Collector Vinay Kumar Meena and other officials were present at the meeting.
New Indian Express
23-04-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
‘Stop sewage flow into Kiruthumal river': Farmers federation
MADURAI: Urging the Water Resource Department (WRD) to carry out maintenance works and prevent sewage release into the Kiruthumal river, farmers associated with the Cauvery Vaigai, Kiruthumal Gundar Irrigation Farmers Federation submitted a petition to the WRD officials on Tuesday. M Arjunan, deputy secretary of the Farmers Federation, said, "The Kiruthumal river is centuries old and flows nearly 86 kilometers from Madurai, Sivagangai, Viruthunagar, to Ramanathapuram. There are over seven shutter dams in the river, and it connects to nearly 73 irrigation tanks, which irrigate over 17,315.51 hectares of cultivation areas. Despite being such an important river, it has been left unmaintained for years. A large amount of sewage is released into the river, and the branch canals of the river are also filled with Seemai Karuvelam trees and invasive plants." Farmers said that the WRD department should maintain the canal connecting the Viraganur dam to the Krithumal river and widen it to allow 5,000 cubic meters of water to flow through it. Invasive plants and encroachments must also be cleared. Pointing out intense sewage release and garbage dumping into the river, farmers urged the WRD department to take criminal action against the individuals and local bodies, including the Madurai corporation, for releasing pollutants that affect the river. Official sources from the WRD department stated that tenders were floated earlier to carry out works in the river, and those works are being undertaken to address the farmers' issue.
