CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu govt on Monday announced a substantial Rs 722.55crore plan to upgrade irrigation systems in 35 districts. The plan aims to reduce water wastage and improve water supply to agricultural land by reconstructing, rehabilitating, and repairing 149 dilapidated irrigation systems.
Water resources minister Duriamurugan announced the projects during a debate on demand for grants for the department. “A Rs 130crore project to reconstruct the Tirukoilur anicut, severely damaged by Cyclone Fengal, will be taken up. This project aims at restoring water supply to five irrigation channels,” the minister said. Flood protection work totalling Rs 131 crore has been planned for seven districts, including Erode, Ranipet, Tenkasi, Tuticorin, Tirupattur, Trichy and Vellore. These measures are designed to mitigate the impact of flooding in vulnerable areas.
Check dams will be constructed at 21 locations in 15 districts, including Coimbatore, Cuddalore, Dindigul, and Dharmapuri, at a cost of Rs 375 crore to improve water storage and groundwater levels. These dams will help capture floodwaters and replenish groundwater resources. Anicuts will be built in nine locations across eight districts at a cost of Rs 185 crore, while new water regulators are also planned across four rivers and channels in districts like Sivaganga, Thanjavur, Tirupur and Srirangam in Trichy.
“A tail-end water regulator will be built at Tharangambadi block, Mayiladuthurai district, to prevent seawater intrusion at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore,” the minister said. Bed dams will also be constructed in Mayiladuthurai and Trichy districts, further enhancing water management capabilities. Fourteen small irrigation channels will be restored in Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts.
Seventeen bridges and causeways will be constructed across rivers like the Pennaiyar in eight districts, costing Rs 131 crore. This infrastructure development will improve connectivity and access. The department will also initiate the process to secure coastal regulation zone clearance for sea walls at five sites in Kanyakumari and Mayiladuthurai districts to combat coastal erosion.
Repair and renovation work of dams and related structures, along with equipment procurement, is planned for six districts, including Manimuthar dam in Tirunelveli, at an estimated cost of Rs 20 crore. This will ensure the continued functionality and safety of existing dam infrastructure. Repairs to dam and barrage gates will be undertaken in 11 districts at a cost of Rs 149 crore. Additionally, water regulators and sluices will be repaired in 49 locations for Rs 21.6 crore.