The Public Works Department (PWD) has accorded sanction for setting up a pump house on the riverbed of the Cauvery near Melur for the five added wards of Tiruchi Corporation.
The Water Utilisation Committee that met in Chennai on Friday cleared the proposal after a detailed discussion. Senior officials of Public Works Department, Commissionerate of Municipal Administration and others, participated in the meeting.
The committee reportedly studied various aspects before clearing the decks for beginning the construction works. The existing water schemes and the quantum of water being drawn, the estimated quantum of water to be drawn from the river front of the Cauvery, groundwater table at the proposed site for a pump house, sustainability of water sources, average groundwater table during summer season and non-water flow season were among the points that came up for discussion. The committee also studied whether the drinking water scheme affected the water required for irrigation.
The committee, in its earlier sitting, had reportedly taken note of apprehensions raised by a section of farmers of Melur that the scheme will hit the irrigation activities in their adjoining areas. Following this, the Tiruchi City Corporation held a peace committee meeting with the farmers and allayed fears that it would no way affect them. The project, which is to be implemented at an estimated cost of Rs. 63.70 crore, is aimed at supplying 135 litres of drinking water per head to residents of 61, 62, 63, 64 and 65 wards in Tiruverumbur, Kattur and adjoining areas. A pump house will be constructed at the north-end of the Cauvery near Melur to tap water for the targeted beneficiaries of the drinking water scheme. Construction of a collector well is part of the project.
It is proposed to install three motors, including a standby, for round-the-clock operation.
A footbridge will be constructed across the river from the pump house up to Kambarasampettai for laying a main to bring water. It will be connected to the mains for Kattur and Tiruverumbur areas. The residents of the areas, which were added to Tiruchi Corporation, get just 40 litres of water per day at present. The Tamil Nadu Water and Drainage Board continues to supply water as before the merger of the areas with Tiruchi Corporation. Tiruchi Corporation, after completion, will take over the responsibility of supplying drinking water to residents from TWAD.
Corporation Commissioner N. Ravichandran told The Hindu that the approval had cleared decks for starting construction of the pumping station.
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