An elevated road from Velankanni to Vedaranyam proposed
The State government has sent in a proposal to the Centre for strengthening the 80 km-long stretch on Nagapattinam-Thanjavur national highway . The project estimated at a cost of Rs.289 crore is awaiting approval from the Centre, said Minister for Fisheries K.A.Jayapal, here at a review meeting recently .
As an interim arrangement, the government has directed the departments to take up road repair works on the project stretch.
Similarly, an elevated road from Velankanni to Vedaranyam has been proposed and is awaiting approval from the State government. The Rs.17.71-crore project would prevent inundation of the stretch during monsoon every year, he added.
The review meeting on the progress of works that commenced here throughout the district last week was attended by officials from the line departments and presided over by Collector T.Munusamy .
Addressing the Public Works Department, Highways, Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board, and District Rural Development Agency, the Minister ascertained the progress of works and available logistics, prior to the release of Mettur water in June.
The government has directed expedition of removal of silt in delta areas on a war footing to ensure their completion by the end of the month.
Delta witnessed a satisfactory yield last agricultural season due to the early release of Mettur water, Mr.Jayapal said and added that the government may facilitate early release of water this year as well.PWD has been directed to expedite silt removal works in channels and rivers, deepen and widen drainage channels, and strengthen embankments.
In order to ensure free flow of water and prevent run-off, PWD has been instructed to take up clearing of parthenium and water hyacinths in all water bodies.
According to the Minister, wherever possible manual work would be taken up under MNREGS and where it is not possible automated machinery would be engaged.In the event of shortage of JCBs, the department has been encouraged to hire vehicles from private dealers from neighbouring districts, and ensure completion of works by May 31.
On the drinking water front, TWAD board has been directed to repair dysfunctional motor pumps, and in the case of repairs caused by wear and tear, the pumps would be replaced.
Further, experts were being engaged to detect aquifers and set up lift pumps for water supply. According to Mr.Jayapal, there were six water collection wells for potable water on the Kollidam, from where water was being distributed to the district.
Each well was equipped with an electric motor and a reserve motor. Teams were constituted to detect leakages in drinking water pipelines,
On the weak conditions of bridges, Mr.Jayapal said that currently the administration was engaged in identifying bridges that required repairs and new bridges would be constructed in place of old bridges beyond repair.
