Date:27/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/27/stories/2008112761810600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Rs.253.71-cr. flood control project to commence by December 15

Special Correspondent

To strengthen the bunds of the Cauvery and the Coleroon rivers

— PHOTO: R. M. RAJARATHINAM

Looked-for: Transport Minister K. N. Nehru inspecting the Kudamuritti river in Tiruchi on Wednesday. From left, Corporation Commissioner T. T. Balsamy, Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman and Collector T. Soundiah are also in the picture.

TIRUCHI: Works on the Rs.253.71-crore flood control scheme for Tiruchi will commence by December 15.

The project envisages strengthening the bunds of the Cauvery and Coleroon rivers in Tiruchi, Karur and the combined Perambalur districts, besides improvements to Uyyakondan and Kudamuritti rivers in Tiruchi City.

Forty-nine different works would be taken up under the project. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had laid the foundation stone for the project a few months back.

News of the implementation of the project, pending for over a decade now, should come as a big relief for City residents. “The State government has sanctioned funds for the project in the supplementary estimates. Though the project has taken a long time to take off, the works would be completed within a year,” Transport Minister K. N. Nehru said after inspecting the rain affected areas in the City on Wednesday.

The Superintending Engineer of the Public Works Department (Mid Cauvery), N. Ganesan, who accompanied the Minister on his tour, said tenders for 46 works have been finalised and awarded with government approval. Tenders received for the other three works, including the renovation of the Nattu Vaical at a cost of Rs.40 crore, were under the consideration of the government.

Vulnerable stretches of the Cauvery and Coleroon River banks, especially those damaged in the 2005 floods between the Kattalai Bed Regulator and the Grand Anicut, would be repaired and strengthened under the scheme.

One of the important components of the project would be widening of the 6.1km-long Kudamuritti river stretch between its originating point at the Puthur Weir and the Cauvery, its discharge point. Currently, the river’s width ranges between 10 to 35 metres and it would be widened to 65 metres under the project.

Though the river’s capacity is less than 9,000 cusecs, it has carried up to 35,000 cusecs at times of floods over the past 60 years. Widening the contour river (which does not have a bund on the left flank) has thus been felt essential, to prevent frequent flooding of the residential areas off the Vayalur Road. The right bank of the river would be made a motorable pathway.

About 9.35 hectares of private lands would be acquired for the project. Responding to a query, Mr. Nehru said efforts were being made to acquire the land on negotiations. The government has sanctioned Rs.23 crore for the land acquisition. Tenders for this component would be called after completing the land acquisition.

Mr. Ganesan disclosed that the designs for the ‘aqua duct,’ a sort of underground siphon, for the Uyyakondan river for about 440 metres at the Puthur weir has been readied. This would prevent heading up of flood waters at the weir. Separate tenders would be called for this component too.

The bridge across the Kudamuritti River on the Vayalur Road would also be widened with additional vents and this work would be executed by the Highways Department.

Collector T. Soundiah, Mayor Sarubala R. Tondaiman, Corporation Commissioner T. T. Balsamy, PWD Executive Engineers K. K. Palanisamy (River Conservation Division) and S. M. Selvaraj (Ariyar Division) also accompanied the Minister.