Coimbatore Corporation, which has started works to strengthen the bund of Periyakulam in the city, will use overseas technology on a trial basis for about 50 metres of the bund.
The total distance of the tank’s bund is 6.7 kilometres. The project will strengthen the bund with a seven-metre-high concrete lining that is 102 mm thick for 1.2 km. Works started for this on Sunday and will be completed in two months.
Using this method, the strengthening can be done without draining water and will not affect the fish in the water body.
A road is being laid on the bund for the 1.2 km, according to an official of the Corporation.
The project is part of the laying of the road and beautification of the tank’s bund that is carried out at an estimate Rs. 5 crore. In this method, known as TechRevetment Technology, fine ready mix concrete and two layers of geo textiles are used.
The technology is provided by Soletanche-Freyssinet, USA. Engineer Patrick Johnson and team who came from the U.S. to provide technical support for concrete bund strengthening work said that they will train personnel here on handling the technology.
Proposal
Corporation officials hinted that they have sent a proposal to the Government in January this year and if approved, this technology would be used to strengthen bunds of other tanks in the city under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).
About strengthening the side of the bund facing the road, the proposal is to take up landscaping. Grass, plants and trees that will strengthen the bund will be planted on this side.
Metal rails will then be fixed on the road to avoid vehicles from slipping into the tank. The officials said that the bund strengthening work will not delay laying the road atop the bund. On completion of these works, the local body plans to introduce boating in the tank, the officials added.
