The green signal from the Department of Forests will take forward the much-awaited desilting in the first reach of Srivaikuntam dam.
Out of the 5.1 kilometres earmarked for desilting, 900 metres belonged to the Department of Forests in the first reach and the rest was with the Public Works Department. A Government Order had been issued to execute desilting on the forest land, Collector M. Ravikumar said here on Monday. Two teams, led by the Tuticorin Sub-Collector and the Assistant Director of Mines, had been formed to monitor desilting.
The PWD started desilting the dam, on June 30. Desilting was being carried out as per the guidelines of National Green Tribunal and reports were submitted once in 15 days.
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Mr. Ravikumar said that so far 40,401 cubic metres of sand and 25,543 cubic metres of silt had been lifted from the dam.
One unit of silt could be bought at Rs. 400, he said.