Tenders invited for first phase of river linking

Tiruchirapalli, Oct 6 (UNI)Tenders have been invited for the first phase of the proposed linking of Cauvery and Kundar rivers (225 km), to be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 165 crore, according to PWD Principal Secretary Tamil Nadu S Adiseshiah.

He told newspersons here that the tenders would be finalised shortly. In the second phase to be executed during the current fiscal year, the Tamirabarani and the Karumeniyar would be linked, spending Rs 369 crore. A notification has been issued for tenders.

Work on linking Sathanur and Cheyyar rivers would be taken up next year, he added.

Asked about the delay in executing the proposed Rs 253 crore flood prevention project to be implemented in and around Tiruchirapalli, he said the work would begin in a month. Tenders for flood prevention work in Cauvery, Coleroon, Kudamuritti, Koraiyar and the Nattu Vaikkal at Srirangam had been finalised.

He said the PWD had also prepared a project for improving irrigational infrastructure in the Cauvery delta region.

Chairman and Managing Director of Agriculture Insurance Company of India, M Parshad said 5.60 lakh farmers had been covered in the state under National Agriculture Insurance Scheme during 2007-08 as against 9.10 lakh farmers in the last six years.

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