The Hindu 03.06.2013
Civic body initiates steps to desilt Raliah Dam
It is estimated to cost Rs. 25 lakh
With water shortage having subjected the people in many
parts of Coonoor and its surroundings to considerable hardship during
the just concluded summer, the civic administration has initiated steps
to desilt the Raliah Dam, the main source of water to the hill station.
Speaking to
The Hindu
here on Saturday, Municipal Commissioner A. Shanmugam said that the
civic administration has for sometime now been concerned about the
rising silt in the dam, the original depth of which was 43.6 feet.
Since
it was estimated that silt had accumulated to a height of about six
feet, the district administration had been asked to sanction funds for
removing it.
Since there was only about 2.5 feet of water now it was felt that it was the right time to start the operation.
It
was estimated to cost Rs. 25 lakh. Following an inspection, The
Nilgiris Collector, Archana Patnaik, had given the green signal.
Work
which had started earlier this week was expected to be completed in
another week. However, it was now estimated that the depth of the silt
is over 10 feet. Further wet weather has also started hampering the
operation.
Mr. Shanmugam said that until the work was
completed the requirements of the people would be met from local
sources including Gymkhana and Bellattymattam.
The
Raliah Dam is situated at Bandhami about eight km. from Coonoor came
into being in 1938 to cater to the needs of a small population.