The restoration work of the New Kattalai High-Level Canal (NKHLC) at Thayanur with support from the World Bank is nearing completion.
The canal is now being renovated for a stretch of about four km in Thayanur under the Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management (TN-IAMWARM) supported by the World Bank with an allocation of ₹ 5.50 crore.
“Farmers in tail-end areas of the canal have complained of inadequate water supply for irrigation and requested the PWD to help regulate flow in the canal. The NKHLC irrigates around 16,000 acres in Tiruchi district,” said Murugesan Ramaswamy, Assistant Engineer at the PWD.
The project involves strengthening of bunds, reconstruction of sluices and repair of weirs along with the construction of retaining walls of the canals, which is the supply channel for six tanks - Kothamangalam big and small tanks, Kallikudi tank, Malaipatti tank, Pappankulam tank and Punganur tank in the area. The project, which began in 2018 will be completed before the rains in October, officials said.
The farmers in Thayanur expect the work to help improve water flow in the canal. “The silt accumulation was not allowing free of flow of water,” said S. Subramanian, Deputy Secretary, Cauvery Delta Farmers Association. “In recent years, farmers have been working as daily-wage labourers because of lack of water. This area is known for paddy, banana and coriander, all of which are water-intensive. We need the water to survive,” said Mr. Subramanian.
