The hefty allocation of Rs.126 crore in the State Budget to maintain the tempo of the ongoing work on linking Tamirabharani –Karumaeniyar - Nambiyar Rivers has triggered wild jubilation among the farmers and the public of Nanguneri and Radhapuram taluks in the district, the prime beneficiary regions.
The project, designed by the State Government on a massive outlay of Rs. 369 crore to take the excess water of the perennial river to the rain shadow regions of Nanguneri and Radhapuram taluks in Tirunelveli district and Sattankulam taluk in Tuticorin district, commenced on February 21, 2009 as Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi laid the foundation stone for this ambitious scheme through teleconferencing even as he had been admitted to Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital.
While laying foundation stone for this first of its kind project in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Karunanidhi, while recalling his address in the National Integration Council meeting held at New Delhi in 2007, then said interlinking of rivers flowing within the State could be the appropriate and effective solution to the growing demand for irrigation water, as connecting inter-State rivers might consume more time owing to disputes and difference of opinions.
Subsequently, special attention is being given to complete the project without flaws and within the stipulated period. After it was estimated that 13,758 million cubic feet (mcft) was wasted during every rainy season, it was decided to excavate a flood carrier canal from the existing Kannadian Channel at Vellankuzhi near Cheranmahadevi in Tirunelveli district to the drought prone area of Nanguneri, Thisaiyanvilai, Radhapuram and Sattankulam by interlinking Tamirabharani, Karumeniyar and Nambiyar rivers.
From Kannadiyan Channel, the Tamirabharani's surplus water of only 2,765 mcft would be taken to the irrigation tanks at Suviseshapuram, Pattancherry, Vijayaachchampaadu, Singachaavadi, Subramaniyapuram, Puthukkualm, Kalkulam, Nanthankulam, Yerumaikulam, Avichchaankulam, Aayankulampadugai, Aanaikudipadugai, Ilaikulam, Kadakulam, Puththantharuvai and M.L. Thaeri.
Connecting channels
Connecting channels would be dug between the flood carrier channel and the Karumaeniyar (5,350 metre), the Nambiyar (6,700 metre) and the Manimuthar (2,500 metre).
Two check-dams at Maelodai and Keezhodai on the Sattankulam- Nazareth stretch would be constructed.
Once this Rs. 369 crore-project, to be executed in 72 packages, is completed, the surplus water of the Tamirabharani will irrigate 5,059 hectares (12,500 acre), quench the thirst of several lakhs of population and dramatically improve the groundwater table and provide succour to the crops of this rain shadow region.
In the first package, contract for excavating the channel for 20 km has been awarded to a few companies which are working round-the-clock as they have to complete it before 30 months from the date of commencement.
Now, the allocation of Rs. 126 crore to sustain the pace of the project has triggered jubilation among the farmers.
“This huge allocation only shows that the State Government is really concerned about the completion of the project on an early note and to take the surplus water of Tamirabharani to the dry regions as early as possible. It's really amazing,” noted K. Subramanian, a progressive farmer from Kalakkad.
The Radhapuram MLA M. Appavu is the happiest man with this heavy allocation as his constituency, owing to its proximity to the seashore, is facing serious threat of seawater incursion into the land to spoil the groundwater.
“This bulky allocation will certainly bring the flood water of Tamirabharani to our region in the near future as it will tremendously accelerate the execution of ‘Kalaignar's dream project' to a greater extent. The surplus water from the perennial river will improve the groundwater quality phenomenally. We don't have words to thank the Chief Minister's generosity,” Mr. Appavu told The Hindu over phone from Chennai.
