The second phase of kudimaramathu, which aims at carrying out desilting and other maintenance activities in tanks with public participation, was inaugurated in Karisalkulam tank in Sivarakkottai near Tirumangalam here on Sunday by Revenue Minister R. B. Udhayakumar.
After inaugurating the work, orders were also handed to farmers granting them permission to lift alluvial soil from the tank as per recent orders of Tamil Nadu government, which allowed farmers, potters and general public to make use of the fertile alluvial soil from tanks and lakes by obtaining due permission and paying a nominal charge.
Speaking at the function, Mr. Udhayakumar said that the first phase of the kudimaramathu had received overwhelming welcome from the public.
Pointing out that maintenance work had been carried out in 1,519 tanks across the State at a cost of ₹ 100 crore in the first phase, he said that the work in Madurai district was carried out in 72 places with a budget of ₹ 5.85 crore.He said that the second phase of the scheme, for which ₹ 300 crore has been allocated, will include 2,200 tanks in Tamil Nadu.
Officials said that ₹30 lakh has been allocated for maintenance work under kudimaramathu in Karisalkulam tank, which has an area of 109 hectares and a capacity of holding 30 mcft of water.
Madurai Collector K. Veera Raghava Rao, who presided over the function, said that permission for lifting of alluvial soil will be granted in 1,194 lakes and tanks in the district.
