The Hindu 05.04.2013
Ramnad seeks Rs. 5 crore to sink borewells
“Government has sanctioned Rs. 50 lakh in the first phase”
The district administration has sought an assistance of Rs five crore from the government to dig deep bore wells as it gears to tackle the drinking water crisis, during this summer season.
As both the south west and north east monsoons have failed, several parts of this drought prone district, such as Kadaladi, Kamudhi, Thondi, Thiruvadanai and Mudukalathur are likely to face water crisis this summer, official sources said. The low water level in Mettur dam has also become a cause of concern as the district depends on the Cauvery water to meet its drinking water requirements under the Ramnathapuram Cauvery combined water supply scheme.
To tackle this crisis, the district has sought an assistance of Rs five crore to dig deep bore wells in western Kadaladi, Kamudhi, Thiruvadanai and Mudukalathur areas.
“The government has sanctioned Rs 50 lakh in the first phase and we are hopeful of getting the balance amount by the end of this month,” Collector K. Nanthakumar said.
In the first phase, six deep bore wells would be dug in Kamudhi area. In Thiruvadanai area, the bore wells would be dug up for 1000 feet and the depth would be 700 to 750 feet in Kamudhi and Kadaladi areas.
The situation, however, is manageable in Ramanathapuram, Mandapam, R. S. Mangalam and a portion of Thiruvadanai areas, he said. Intermittent rains in January and in the first week of March had helped to recharge the ground water, he said. On March 6, the district had received a total of 664 mm of rainfall.
To augment water supply under the Cauvery combined water supply scheme, 2000 cusecs of water would be released from Vaigai per day for six days for wetting during the middle of this month, coinciding with Kallazhagar festival, he said. The released water is expected to reach up to Pogalur, covering Paramakudi and Nainarkoil, he said adding the ‘Vaigai wetting’ would be mainly for the purpose of ground water recharge.
Pointing out that illegal tapping and breaking of pipelines laid under the Cauvery combined water supply scheme posed a great challenge, the Collector warned stern action against those who indulge in illegal tapping.
Under the comprehensive scheme, 70 million litres of water is supplied in a day and the quantum is likely to witness a slide in the coming months, he said.
