For residents of Attrambakkam and neighbouring villages, water from Kosasthalaiyar is a lifeline. But they often have to suffer shortage of resources whenever the flow decreases. The long-pending work to construct a check dam across the river will begin after Pongal.
According to officials of the Water Resources Department, this would be 10th such facility to be constructed across the river to store water that otherwise drains into the sea. Attrambakkam village is located three km downstream of Poondi reservoir.
The news has come as a relief for residents who are worried over fluctuating groundwater level. D. Loganathan, a farmer in Attrambakkam, said the river is the main source of water for 10 villages.
Many residents depend on the river for growing crops such as paddy, groundnut, chillies and brinjal. “We have dug borewells and wells near the river and use it for irrigation and drinking water needs. If there is flow in the river for at least two more months after monsoon, it will help recharge groundwater. We can manage the demand in summer,” he said.
Some of the villages that would enjoy the benefits of the check dam are Govindarajakuppam, Nambakkam, Odappai and Ariyathur. Officials said work had to be stopped during monsoon as there was more flow in the river. As the flow has receded, work will be resumed in a couple of weeks.
The 1.5 metre-high structure across the 100-metre wide river would help store water in the river for over two km. Once the check dam is built, the groundwater level will improve and there would be sufficient resources to meet the requirement even during summer, said a WRD official.
The ₹7 crore project is expected to be completed in nine months. Residents want such check dams at every 4-5 km distance to save the precious resources.
