Tamil Nadu to build new check dams

Chennai (IANS) In order to preserve scarce water resources in the state, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to spend around Rs.100 crore to build check dams this fiscal, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi Monday said.

Replying to the debate on the demand for grants for the Public Works Department, Karunanidhi said: "During the past two years, check dams were built at 1,859 places at an outlay of Rs.550 crore. As a result, the ground water table has gone up."

"This year, too, we will be building check dams at an outlay of Rs.100 crore. The government will also desilt the water canals so that Cauvery water can reach the tail- end portions in the Cauvery delta region spending Rs.12 crore," he added.

He said many of the major irrigation and flood control schemes will get over this year benefiting the farming community.

Karunanidhi said a new dam across Nambiyar in Tirunelveli district will be built at an outlay of Rs.8 crore.

Referring to the sea erosion in Kanyakumari and Chennai, he said: "Protection work at an outlay of Rs.526,000 in Kanyakumari and Rs.99 lakh on the Ennore High Road in Chennai are being carried out."

He said the state government has chalked a mega plan to protect nine coastal districts at an outlay of Rs.666 crore and has sent it to the 13th Finance Commission which, in turn, has recommended a subsidy of Rs.200 crore for the project.

Karunanidhi also unveiled several new plans for over Rs.440 crore like the building of 1,500 apartments for government servants at an outlay of Rs.175 crore here, reconstruction of Kandur Canal at Rs.127 crore and construction of a new Kalaivanar Arangam for Rs.50 crore.