The Public Works Department is all set to commence work on the construction of the check dam across the river Cauvery near Kambarasampettai, on the outskirts of the city.
The check dam is expected to contribute in a big way towards improving the ground water table and recharge the drinking water sources on the river bed.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had laid the foundation stone for the Rs.32-crore project in June 2011 during her visit to Srirangam after assuming office.
The check dam was sanctioned following a public outcry over the heavy exploitation of the river bed, between Mayanur in Karur district and Tiruchi, for a slew of drinking water schemes for various towns and cities, and the popular demand from farmers and service organisations for the construction of a check dam, especially in the wake of the implementation of Ramanathapuram Drinking Water Supply Scheme.
The check dam would come up close to the Tiruchi Corporation's main pumping station, and the collector wells of Ramanathapuram water scheme.
It would be located about 100 metres upstream of Amma Mandapam bathing ghat on the left bank of the Cauvery and about 100 metres upstream of Ayyalamman Padithurai on the right bank of the river.
Over the past few days, preliminary works are underway at the site as the PWD will be racing against time to execute the work.
The Mettur closure period, until its schedule reopening for irrigation on June 12, gives the right window for the PWD to construct the check dam. Though the project is scheduled to be completed in two years, the department would be keen to achieve substantial progress within the window period.
According to sources in the department, the tender for the project was in advanced stage of finalisation. The work is expected to commence in full swing over the next few days, once the contract agreement is signed.
The check dam would run for a length of 540 metres and stand about 1.5 metres in height from the bed level. It would head up water for a stretch of 1.50 km upstream and ensure continuous wetting of the river bed so as to keep the drinking water collector wells sufficiently wetted right through the year, especially in the summer. During several summers over the past decade, the Tiruchi Corporation was forced to dig up streams along the river bed downstream Upper Anicut (Mukkombu) to provide a wetting to the river bed for its water sources.
The check dam would also help recharge ground water table for a radius of about four to five km as diaphragm walls would be built for a depth of seven metres across the river both upstream and downstream the check dam, preventing water seepage. The bunds of the river would be raised on either side. Three sand vents would be provided on either side of the check dam.
