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Tamil Nadu's Rs 10 Crore Push: How Stalin's Canal Clean-Up Aims to Save Crops

The Tamil Nadu government has given the green light for a major canal clean-up. A Rs 10 crore package will fund the desilting of Parambikulam-Aliyar Project canals to improve water flow. Officials plan to finish the work before the Pongal festival to ensure irrigation water reaches farms on time. This move comes after farmers highlighted the urgent need for maintenance to save their crops.

Key Points: Stalin Govt Sanctions Rs 10 Crore for Parambikulam-Aliyar Canal Desilting

  • Special package of Rs 10 crore sanctioned for 154 desilting works across three PAP divisions
  • Works include clearing vegetation and debris to improve water flow for irrigation
  • Aim is to complete all activities before Pongal for timely water release
  • Project will benefit over 1.33 lakh hectares of ayacut in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts
  • Funds were announced by CM Stalin in August following requests from farmers
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Stalin govt sanctions Rs 10 crore for delisting Parambikulam-Aliyar project canals

Tamil Nadu allocates Rs 10 crore to desilt PAP canals, aiming to boost irrigation for over 1.33 lakh hectares before the Pongal season. Works to begin soon.

"For the last four years, PAP has not received adequate funds for regular desilting. The current special allocation is a much-needed intervention. - P. Velusamy, PAP Water Conservation Movement"

Chennai, Dec 6

The Tamil Nadu government has approved a Rs 10-crore special package for desilting the Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP) canals, with works scheduled to begin immediately after the completion of the ongoing water release to the fourth zone.

The order, issued by Water Resources Department (WRD) Secretary J. Jayakanthan, provides administrative sanction for 154 desilting works across three key divisions under the PAP.

A senior WRD official said the initiative includes clearing vegetation, removing loose debris, and desilting major and minor canals.

"We had originally planned 160 works, but 154 have received sanction. Our aim is to complete all desilting activities before Pongal, as water must be released for irrigation to the first zone during the festival season," the official said.

Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had announced the allocation on August 11 during his visit to Tiruppur district, following requests from irrigation association leaders and farmers who highlighted the urgent need for desilting to improve water flow and irrigation efficiency.

The government subsequently earmarked Rs 10 crore exclusively for PAP canal works.

According to the government order, 44 works will be taken up in the Thirumurthy division at an estimated cost of ₹2.88 crore, 27 works in the Parambikulam division at Rs 2.15 crore, and 83 works in the Aliyar basin division at Rs 4.97 crore. The desilting programme is expected to benefit a total ayacut of 1,33,976.62 hectares across Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts.

At present, water is being released from the Thirumurthy Dam for the fifth wetting of the fourth zone.

As per the original schedule, water should be supplied until December 9. However, a recent breach in the main canal near Vavipalayam disrupted supply.

"To compensate for the interruption, we have extended water release for another ten days, from December 9. Desilting will begin soon after this cycle ends," the WRD official said.

Welcoming the move, P. Velusamy, President of the PAP Vellakoil Branch Canal Water Conservation Movement, said desilting should ideally be carried out twice a year.

"For the last four years, PAP has not received adequate funds for regular desilting. The current special allocation is a much-needed intervention," he noted.

The Parambikulam–Aliyar Project, a vital inter-basin water transfer and irrigation scheme, consists of seven reservoirs, four hydropower stations, six tunnels, one weir, and a contour canal system that diverts west-flowing rivers to irrigate vast rain-shadow regions of western Tamil Nadu.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
Finally some action! My family has farmland in the PAP ayacut. The canals are so clogged, water barely reaches the tail ends. 10 crore is a good start, but as the association president said, this needs to be a regular, twice-a-year activity, not a one-time "special package".
M
Michael C
Interesting to see the detailed breakdown of costs across divisions. Good transparency. The breach in the canal near Vavipalayam shows why regular maintenance is so important. Hope the extended water release helps the farmers in the fourth zone.
S
Suresh O
While I welcome the funds, I have a question. The announcement was made in August, and the order is issued now in December. Why does it take so long for administrative sanctions? This is a common problem in our system. The urgency felt by farmers is not matched by the bureaucracy's pace.
A
Anjali F
PAP is an engineering marvel, diverting west-flowing rivers to the rain-shadow areas. Proper maintenance is key to its success. This desilting will benefit over 1.3 lakh hectares! That's massive. Good move for agricultural productivity in Tamil Nadu. 👍
K
Kiran H
Hope the quality of work is monitored. Sometimes, funds are released but the desilting is superficial. They need to clear vegetation and loose debris properly, not just do a token removal. The WRD officials must ensure the contractors do a thorough job.

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