Massive efforts are on to increase the storage at Athoor Kamarajar dam, the lifeline for Dindigul town and 18 villages.
Talking to press persons after inspecting desilting work in the dam at Athoor near here on Thursday, Municipal Chairman V.Marudha Raj said the work was taken up at an estimated cost of Rs.25 lakh. The present total storage level of the dam was only 23 feet, and the water level stood at eight feet. After removal of silt, the storage capacity would be increased to 26 feet. The Dindigul Municipality had initiated desilting work last year at an estimated cost of Rs.15 lakh, but the work was stopped because of torrential rain. “Now, we have started the work in peak summer and we will complete it as per schedule,” he said.
Mr.Raj said the water stagnation area of the dam would also be expanded. The bunds would be stretched to some distance to improve the storage level. Seven open wells would be dug around the dam at an estimated cost of Rs.4.8 crore to draw water from the dam when its storage level went down below pumping level, he said, and added that a pipeline would be laid from the dam to Peranai Drinking Water Scheme main pipeline, he added. At present, the municipality managed to supply water to town residents once in a week. On completion of the rehabilitation project, the municipality could supply drinking water once in two days to all residents.
Dindigul Municipal Commissioner T.Kumar said stern action would be initiated against those who used electric motors to draw drinking water. Already, 120 motors were seized during surprise raids in West Govindapuram and Mariyanathapuram, he noted.
