TN initiates river linking

Chennai, Apr 10 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government has initiated steps for linking the rivers within the State to primarily serve as flood carriers, prevent flood waters going to sea and ensure its flow to the drought prone areas.

As a first step, the government has decided to link the Cauvery-Agniar-South Vellar-Manimuthar-Vaigai-Gundar in two phases, link Tamiraparani-Karumeniar-Nambiar and Pennaiyar-Cheyyar rivers, PWD Minister Duraimurugan said, while moving the demand for grants for his department in the State Assembly.

He said the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Tamiraparani- Karumeniar-Nambiar link and the first component of Cauvery-Vaigai -Gundar river linking had been completed.

The DPR for the second component of Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar was under preparation, while the DPR for linking Pennaiyar-Cheyyar river was expected to be completed by June this year.

With the Centre promising assistance under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) for intra-linking of rivers, these three river linking projects would be sent to the Centre for necessary financial assistance, he added.

He also recalled the government's announcement in the Budget allotting Rs 369 crore for taking up the Tamiraparani-Karumeniar- Nambiar project during the current fiscal and construction of Kattalai barrage across the Cauvery river at a cost of Rs 165 crore from its own funds, anticipating assistance from the Centre.

MORE UNI GV DS RC HS1817