Jayalalithaa announces Rs 321.69 crore worth works to aid irrigation

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa today announced Rs 321.69 crore worth irrigation works like renovation of canals and building check dams aimed at benefiting arable lands, farmers and fishermen in the state.

Parambikulam Aliyar Project contour canal's beginning portions would be renovated in the first phase at Rs 20 crore and it would bring irrigation benefits to 9,710 acres of land and augment drinking water facility of people in the region, she said in a suo motu statement in the Assembly.

In continuation of the renovaton of Periyar Main Canal's branches, renovation of its channels would be taken up in the second phase in Madurai District at Rs 15 crore.

A check dam would be built across River Amaravathi at a cost of Rs 15.16 crore in Karur District in deference to the representations of the people and farmers, she said.

At a cost of Rs 42 crore, a project to divert the surplus waters of Ramanadhi dam to Jambunathi irrigation areas in Tirunelveli District would be implemented, she said.

To implement the diversion project, 45.28 acres land needed to be acquired. For land acquisition purpose and to go in for a detailed study, Rs 5.40 crore would be allotted, she said.

In continuation of Mettur Canal renovation and strengthening works, such repair work would be carried out at Rs 30 crore in Salem and Namakkal Districts, she said.

She also announced that a bridge would be built across Buckingham Canal to link residential neighbourhoods at a cost of Rs 5 crore in Radhakrishnan Nagar here.

Among other measures were renovation of water supply channels in Theni District at Rs 17.85 crore.