Dam across Kallar to come up at a cost of Rs.19 crore

Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has directed the Public Works Department (PWD) to construct a dam across the Kallar stream (odai) in the district at an estimate of Rs.19 crore, said PWD Minister K.V.Ramalingam in Tiruchi on Friday.

Talking to presspersons after inspecting the spot where the new reservoir is proposed, he pointed out that Ms.Jayalalithaa, in her previous term as Chief Minister , had ordered construction of the Visuvakkudi-Kallar reservoir in a bid to improve water resources in the district. However, this project remained unimplemented. As soon as Ms.Jayalalithaa returned to power last year, she had directed the PWD to prepare a new estimate.

According to an official release, the Minister said that under the new proposal, the 615-metre long, with two sluices, dam would be constructed between Valayur Malai and Semmalai at Visuvakkudi panchayat of Veppanthattai panchayat union. It would be able to store 30.67 million cubic feet of water.

And the dam will directly irrigate 859 acres of dry land. Besides, a 421-acre ayacut below Vengalam Eri would be assured of water supply through a sluice. As ground water potential would be rejuvenated, 169 acres of dry land would also benefit through well irrigation. Indirectly, as much as 2,000 acres would benefit because of the reservoir, the Minister added.

He pointed out that 22.25 acres of patta land required for the reservoir was under acquisition and preliminary approval for acquisition of 4.94 acres of forest land had been obtained from the Central government. Collector Darez Ahmed, MLA Elambai R.Tamilselvan, and Chief Engineer, Water Resources , PWD, Ganesa Maruchan accompanied the Minister.