The Hindu 21.09.2009
River-linking channel excavation in full swing
Staff Reporter
— Photo: A. Shaikmohideen
In progress: The channel to take Tamiraparani surplus water to Karumaeniyar and Nambiyar being dug near Pirancherry.
TIRUNELVELI: The usually tranquil stretch south of Piraancherry near Palayamkottai is now busy with nearly a dozen humming heavy earthmovers and good number of tipper lorries carrying the excavated boulders as work on the construction of the 72 km-long channel to take the surplus water of Tamirabharani to Karumaeniyar and Nambiyar has moved to top gear.
The project has been designed by the State Government on a massive outlay of Rs. 369 crore to take the excess water of the perennial river to the rain shadow regions of Nanguneri and Radhapuram taluks in Tirunelveli district and Sattankulam taluk in Tuticorin district.
After it was estimated that 13,758 million cubic feet (mcft) was wasted during every rainy season, it was decided to excavate a flood carrier canal from the existing Kannadian Channel at Vellankuzhi near Cheranmahadevi in Tirunelveli district to the drought prone area of Nanguneri, Thisaiyanvilai, Radhapuram and Sattankulam by interlinking Tamirabharani, Karumeniyar and Nambiyar rivers.
From Kannadiyan Channel, the Tamirabharani’s surplus water of only 2,765 mcft would be taken to the irrigation tanks at Suviseshapuram, Pattancherry, Vijayaachchampaadu, Singachaavadi, Subramaniyapuram, Puthukkualm, Kalkulam, Nanthankulam, Yerumaikulam, Avichchaankulam, Aayankulampadugai, Aanaikudipadugai, Ilaikulam, Kadakulam, Puththantharuvai and M.L. Thaeri.
Connecting channels
Connecting channels would be dug between the flood carrier channel and the Karumaeniyar (5,350 metre), the Nambiyar (6,700 metre) and the Manimuthar (2,500 metre). Two check-dams at Maelodai and Keezhodai on the Sattankulam- Nazareth stretch would be constructed.
Once this Rs. 369 crore-project, to be executed in 72 packages, is completed, the surplus water of the Tamirabharani will irrigate 5,059 hectares (12,500 acre), quench the thirst of several lakhs of population and dramatically improve the groundwater table and provide succour to the crops of this rain shadow region.
In the first package, contract for excavating the channel for 20 km has been awarded to a few companies which are working round-the-clock as they have to complete it before 30 months from the date of commencement.