Tanks: project report likely in April

The project is expected to help irrigate 2,248 hectares

Kurichi tank is among the six tanks to be taken up for rejuvenation. File Photo: K. Ananthan

Water Resource Organisation of the Public Works Department will soon come out with a detailed project reports to rejuvenate six tanks under the National Lake Conservation Project.

The report is expected to be ready in April or May. Once it gets administrative and financial sanctions, the department will complete the works within 12-18 months. The project, covering 31.8 km of channels, is expected to help irrigate 2,248 hectares.

31 tanks

River Noyyal basin has 31 tanks. In 2009, some of the tanks at Narasampathy, Selvampathy, Krishnampathy, Kolrampathy, Kumarasamy, Selva Chinthamani, Ukkadam, Valankulam and Singanallur were given on a 99-year lease to the Coimbatore Corporation. Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department has planned to repair these tanks at a cost of Rs. 200 crore. They will be beautified to turn them into spots for recreation and ecological importance.

There are no plans in respect of the other tanks.

Now, under the conservation project, the PWD is preparing the project report for tanks at Perur, Kuniamuthur, Kurichi, Vellalore, and Odderpalayam at an approximate cost of Rs. 100 crore.

The Perur tank can even be converted to a sanctuary for birds.

The plan is to de-silt channels that bring water to the tank and supply it to the fields; improve the water spread area of the tank; and strengthen bunds.