To cater to demands of farmers, desilting works in Maruthur anicut will be taken up soon and tenders floated at the earliest. This historic anicut has 97.500 cubic metres of water spread area running to a length of 1, 249 metres, according to Collector M. Ravikumar.
Silt deposited up to a depth of one to three feet in the anicut would be removed.
This anicut has been benefitting farmers within the ayacut area of 20, 547 acres, he said while talking to reporters here on Monday.
On desilting works under way in Srivaikuntam dam, he said the first and second reach had been completed and works were in progress in the third and fourth reach in the dam.
While 57 per cent of desilting works had been completed in the third reach, 33 per cent of works was over in the fourth reach.
The Collector said 20 ponds maintained by the government had been selected for desilting in various parts of the district.
As per an order notified by the government, up to 30 cubic meter of silt removed from these ponds could be given to farmers free of cost for agriculture purpose.
Of these ponds, six ponds were under Tamirabarani basin, nine under Korampallam basin and five under panchayat limits.
District Revenue Officer S. Murugaiah was also present.
