Completed 647 desilting works in Delta, says Water Resources Dept

CHENNAI: To ensure that Cauvery water reaches fag end of the Delta, the state has completed 647 desilting works in the region at a cost of Rs 6,510.50 crore in 2021-22.

The Water Resources Department released a book, recently, on the achievements of the department in the past, the works undertaken, the dams constructed, plans of the state government and the works to be undertaken by the department. It was mentioned that the state had desilted water bodies for a distance of 4.061.44 km by using 1,007 equipment.

Out of the total 647 works in nine Delta districts, majority of works were carried out in Thanjavur where 185 works were completed. Nearly, 174 works were carried out in Tiruvarur district, 89 in Nagapattinam, 63 in Tiruchy, 58 in Cuddalore, 33 in Ariyalur, 26 in Myiladuthurai, 10 in Karur and nine in Pudukottai districts.

Out of the works completed in 4,061.44 km, desilting was carried out in 1,282.35 km in Tiruvarur district and 1,169.14 km in Thanjavur district.

After coming to power, Chief Minister MK Stalin directed Duraimurugan to undertake inspection in Delta districts and to carry out desilting works. Duraimurugan held a meeting with farmers’ representatives of nine districts, on May 16 in Thanjavur and based on the meeting tender was called for desilting on May 26 following which desilting works commenced on May 28.

The works were carried out on war footing in which 37 assistant executive engineers and 180 assistant engineers were engaged to complete the work on time. Senior IAS officers were appointed for each district to monitor the desliting works and the works were completed towards the end of June.

As the new government took charge only on May 7, desilting works were delayed for water release from Mettur dam, but however, the state has planned to undertake desilting works in April and May from next year to ensure that water from Mettur dam will reach all the remotest corners of the Delta region.