Buoyed by the success of the check dams in harvesting the recent rain flows in different places, especially in water scarce areas, the Ariyar Division of the Public Works Department would soon embark on the construction of another 14 check dams across the district.
Check dams are structures at the ground-level which seek to harness the rain flows. The new structures are to be built across various jungle streams. The structures would be built at a cost of Rs. 20.73 crore with financial assistance from the Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF-21) of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development, sources in the division told The Hindu .
“Tenders for the works have been awarded and the works will begin soon. Though the contract period will range from nine to 12 months, we are planning to complete the works by February/March next year,” an official of the department said. The check dams would come up in Lalgudi, Musiri, Manachanallur, Manapparai, Marungapuri, Srirangam, and Tiruverumbur taluks.
The check dams are planned across Nandiyar in Lalgudi taluk, Ponaniyar, and Mamundiyar in Manapparai taluk, Ayyar in Musiri, Vellar in Marungapuri taluk and Kattar in Tiruverumbur taluk. Check dams would come up at smaller streams such as Kothamangalam vari, Manodai, Shanmuganadhi, Kannuthu Odai, Koraiyar, Upparu, and Panguni Vaical.
Check dams were built at 10 places in the district under RIDF-20 and these have been effective in harnessing the recent rain flows. Some of the tanks such as Alathaduiyanpatti Chinna and Periya Eris and Jamberi have started surplus already, much to the delight of farmers, the official said. The check dams had harnessed the flows in the jungle streams and contributed to good inflows into the tanks and farmers had been able to commence agricultural operations. Besides, villagers are also happy over the improvement in the groundwater level ensuring good drinking water supply, he said.
