River project to be completed by March 2012

Nagapattinam,Feb 21 (PTI) The strengthening work alongthe left and right banks of Kollidam river at a cost of Rs 375crore as part of the flood control project, is expected to becompleted by March 2012, a top official said today.

A sum of Rs 108 crore had been allotted for strengtheningthe left bank and Rs 267 crore for the right,K Dhanavel, PWDSecretary, Tamil Nadu, told reporters after inspecting theworks at Kattur near Kollidam in Nagapattinam district.

Dhanavel said the project had been taken up with theassistance of central government as a permanent floodcontrol measure. Flooding in Kollidam river affects over 150villages. The completion of this project will enable thepeople of these villages to lead a panic-free life during themonsoon time, he said.

The left bank strengthening covers the area betweenAnaikarai (Thanjavur District) and Kodiyampalayam(Nagapattinam Dist) and the right bank strengthening coversthe area between Anaikarai (Thanjavur Dist) and Kattur(Nagapattinam Dist).

Dhanavel said the works will be completed before Mar,2012.

The Kollidam river could carry a maximum of 4.5 lakhcusecs during rainy season.Due to heavy silt formation in theriver bed, the banks used to breach during floods, affectingover 150 villages causing huge loss to crops, habitations andkilling cattle.

During the past five years, the region suffered damagethrice and the government has now initiated the permanentflood control project, which commenced during November lastyear.