The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned Rs.4.27 crore for repairing damaged shutters at the barrage across the Cauvery River at Upper Anicut (Mukkombu) near Tiruchi.
Last year, the Public Works Department refurbished 15 of the 41 shutters on the barrage at a cost of Rs.2 crore, also sanctioned by the NABARD. The department had sought more funds for repairing the remaining shutters at an estimated cost of Rs.4.50 crore in the second phase. That was the first time a major repair of the shutters was conducted at the Upper Anicut. The barrage was built in 1977 and no major repairs were carried out till then. The Coleroon River begins from Mukkombu.
An announcement was made in the State Assembly that the remaining shutters would be rehabilitated during the current year. The Project Sanctioning Committee meeting on Rural Infrastructure Development Fund of NABARD held recently sanctioned a loan of Rs.4.27 crore for the project, S.Suresh Kumar, Assistant General Manager, NABARD, Tiruchi, told The Hindu .
Technical guidance
The PWD had taken technical guidance from the Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), Karaikudi. The corroded bottom portion of the shutters were cut and replaced with new metal sheets.
Based on the CECRI recommendation, the shutters were subject to metal blasting to thoroughly remove the rust. The process involves blasting air at high pressure to remove the rust. Zinc aluminium and epoxy coatings were also given to the shutters.
A similar exercise would be taken up on the remaining shutters that are yet to be rehabilitated. The roller box assembly, hoist assembly and gearbox assembly would also be overhauled under the project.
The project seeks to ensure effective water regulation and flood control and prevent wastage of water due to seepage through the damaged shutters.
PWD sources said the project work would begin after the government order was issued consequent to the sanction of funds by the NABARD.
