The Hindu 20.12.2010
Water-logging: Swaran Singh inspects Buckle Canal work
| Second phase of Rs. 7.35-crore project in progress for a stretch of 2.4 km |
OFFERING SUGGESTIONS:Swaran Singh, right, Principal Secretary, Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection, inspecting work being carreid out on Buckle Canal in Tuticorin on Sunday.
Tuticorin: In the wake of water-logging in many low-lying areas of the town after the recent rains, works are being carried out to drain water using heavy duty motor pump sets.
A team of officials led by Swaran Singh, Principal Secretary, Cooperation, Food and Consumer Protection, inspected one such work being carried out on the Buckle Canal off the bridge at third railway gate on Sunday. Mr. Singh is the special monitoring officer to Tuticorin deputed by the State government for taking stock of damage caused by the rains.
When he sought reason for a blockade on the canal, Corporation authorities replied that that particular area had been blocked so as to facilitate construction work on the canal. Mr. Singh offered some suggestions and the blockade was removed immediately with the help of machinery. Since the flow of water was obstructed in the canal, inundation was possible at several places, it was felt. Collector C.N. Maheswaran, Sub-Collector Sajjansingh R. Chawan and Corporation authorities accompanied Mr. Singh.
The second phase of the Buckle Canal works is under way for a stretch of 2.4 km at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.35 crore. Moreover, funds to the tune of Rs. 4 crore have been sanctioned by the government for carrying out the third phase of canal works.
The team has been making on-the-spot assessments in the rain hit areas for the past one week.
