Date:05/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/05/stories/2008120552450300.htm

Tamil Nadu

Alangayam ryots yet to benefit from check-dams

Staff Reporter

— Photo: D. Gopalakrishnan

INCOMPLETE: The check-dam across the Borakaanar in Alangayam panchayat union near Vaniyambadi in Vellore district.

ALANGAYAM: Though the Alangayam panchayat union has taken steps to fill the lakes through construction of check-dams across the Palar and the Borakaanar, the work is getting delayed owing to non-disbursement of funds by the Public Works Department (PWD).

K. Devaraji, panchayat union chairman, said that a lot of effort had gone into the construction of a check dam across the Palar at Jafferabath in Alangayam Panchayat Union. After Kodanchi, this was the only check-dam across the Palar. The dam had been constructed to fill the Udendiram Lake, which was the biggest in Vaniyambadi taluk. Water from the check dam had to pass to the Udendiram Lake through adjacent supply channel.

He said that if the Udendiram Lake was filled up, it would benefit 1,500 hectares of ayacut area. Farmers in the areas surrounding Vaniyambadi taluk would get surplus water. Moreover, the groundwater table of Vaniyambadi would improve.

Though the estimate was for the check-dam across the Palar at Jafferabath was pegged at Rs.78 lakh, the PWD had disbursed only Rs.58 lakh. Hence, the work was incomplete.

Though there was a surplus flow of water in the Palar, the water never reached the Udendiram Lake.

Mr.Devaraji said that one of the reasons for this was that the supply channel connecting the Udendiram was silted. A sum of Rs.7 lakh was required to desilt the supply channel to the Udendiram Lake.

The situation was almost the same as regards the check dam across the Borakaanar, which was constructed after land acquisition. The estimate was Rs.49 lakh. Out of the total estimated amount, Rs.13 lakh had been set aside towards payment of compensation to landowners.

The land survey report for paying compensation had already been submitted to Tirupattur Sub Division Sub Collector Hanish Chabbra. Mr.Devaraji said that the check-dam, which 17-foot deep, had been constructed to store and route the water flowing from Necknamalai to the Erakuttai Lake.

The work was half-finished, the reason being lack of funds to construct culverts.

At present, water was stored at the dam to a depth of 16 feet.

If water from the check dam reached the Erakuttai Lake, it would benefit 3,000 hectares of ayacut area. If the lake was full, it would feed five to six more tanks. At present, water from Necknamalai is being wasted. It is up to the PWD to act,” he said.