Expert claim generates interest in Chennai hydrogeology

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI, AUG. 9. A recent claim that the Cauvery once flowed in northern parts of the State has triggered a renewed interest in the hydrogeological condition of Chennai and suburbs.

The Chief Minister, Ms. Jayalalithaa, convened a meeting on this issue on Monday. Dr. S. M. Ramaswamy, Director of the Bharatidasan University's Centre of Remote Sensing, who stated a satellite imagery revealed the presence of a buried river connecting Hogenakkal and Pulicat, was called to the meeting and he gave his presentation.

Senior groundwater specialists say ``Dr. Ramaswamy has come out with a theory, and it requires an indepth study''. They also say there is nothing to be surprised about the prevalence of a buried channel on the northeastern fringes of the city, as the UNDP study during 1982-85 established it but called it part of the old Palar river. Apart from satellite pictures, an elaborate field study and investigation were conducted''.

One of the findings of this study was that the buried channel lay between the Kesavaram anaicut and Minjur. The researchers demarcated it and delineated its course.

The study along with the previous one in 1966-69 resulted in locating groundwater potential and tapping it for use in the city. A number of deep borewells, called well fields, were dug at Tamaraipakkam, Panjetti and Minjur in the first phase and in Poondi, Kannagiper and Flood Plains in the second phase. ``All the well fields are located on the buried channel'', say the experts.

For nearly two years, the well fields have been meeting the city water demand to a large extent. On an average, they are contributing 50 million litres a day (MLD) to 75 MLD.

The Palar river, after Walajapet, flowed northwards, going via the present Kesavaram anaicut, Satyamurthi Sagar in Poondi, Tamaraipakkam, and Minjur before joining the sea. Over the years, its course changed and turned southwards.

Now, after crossing the erstwhile North Arcot, the river flows through Kancheepuram district and joins the sea in Voyalur, south of Mamallapuram. The river originates in Karnataka and passes through Andhra Pradesh before entering Tamil Nadu.

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Section  : Southern States
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