The Tamil Nadu government is implementing various irrigation and flood control programmes in the state with an investment of over Rs 2,500 crore. The proposed investment would include construction of new dams and linking rivers among others.
In this regard, the government has approved a Rs 1,448-crore project under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission to prevent floods in the Chennai city. Work on the project would commence in the coming financial year.
Similarly, the government has allocated Rs 155 crore for permanent floods protection works against floods in Cauvery and Coleroon rivers in Karur, Trichy, Ariyalur and Perambalur districts.
Under the Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management (IAMWARM) project, which is being implemented at a cost of Rs 2,547 crore with the aid of the World Bank, the government is planning to take up works in 38 sub basins in 2009-10. The government has allocated Rs 533 crore for this project.
The project will improve water resources in the state. It is expected that around 1.6 million acres of agricultural land would be covered under the scheme.
Last year, the state government initiated a scheme to conserve the unitilsed water of rivers and rivulets through check dams in the water-stressed areas of the state so as to utilise the same for agriculture and drinking water purposes throughout the year.
The government is building 48,500 check dams and ponds with an investment of around Rs 550 crore and has allocated another Rs 100 crore for the year 2009-10.
More From This Section
Besides, it is planning to take up two projects in 2009-10 at a cost Rs 200 crore under the Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme for linking intra-state rivers. These projects would divert the surplus flood water to the dry districts of Thoothukudi and Tirunelveli.
To improve the Grand Anicut Canal and its structure, the government, with the assistance from Nabard, is planning to spend Rs 50 crore.