An unused rainwater harvesting structure near Tirukadaiyur, built during the Chola period, will be restored to its past glory thanks to an initiative taken under the ‘self-sufficiency scheme.’
The rainwater harvesting structure is a large square tank, measuring 85 metres on each side. Though it was up to the brim during the monsoon in the past decades, the storage got dried up during the summer. Formation of silt was another major problem due to the absence of bund walls.
The tank is located at Pillaipereumalnallur beside the Sri Brahmmapuriswarar Temple. Even now water for some daily rituals for the presiding deity of Sri Abirami in the adjoining temple at Tirukadaiyur is taken from one of the wells of this temple. Inaccessibility to the tank has been one of the main problems faced by the residents of a cluster of village in and around Pillaiperumalnallur which has a population of about 2,500.
Based on repeated plea from villagers, the district administration mooted a plan to take up the work under the self-sufficiency scheme.
A project report was prepared at an estimate of Rs.87.19 lakh with community support. “It has been planned to dredge the entire tank so as to enhance its capacity for storage. Steps would be taken to facilitate access to the tank for the villagers,” said S. Palanisamy, Collector.
The PPN Power Generating Company has come forward to contribute Rs. 29,06,400, being one-third share of the public.
“The power plant has contributed the share under the Corporate Social Responsibility,” said S. Gopal, senior vice-president (Plant) of the firm.
He said the water available in the tank would facilitate re-charging of the groundwater table in the cluster of hamlets in the vicinity. “Acute drinking water scarcity is often witnessed during the summer season. The firm has come forward to contribute the share on behalf of the villagers,” he said.
“PPN Power Generating Company is a private power plant having its name derived from the name of the village Pillaipermalnallur where the plant is located, which is in operation since April 2001. It is a gas turbine / steam turbine based combined cycle power plant of 330 MW capacity. PPN village panchayat comprises small hamlets like Kezhaththeru, Vadkkuththeru, Naduththeru. Melaththeru, Therkuththeru, Chettimedu, Vepencherry, Thazhampettai. During summer, the groundwater in the panchayat gets depleted. As part of corporate contribution to the environment protection in the area, PPN has a huge well maintained natural rainwater harvesting facility within their premises which supports the groundwater level.
He handed over the cheque to the Collector on Monday. The work would be completed well ahead of the monsoon, he added.
