IGCAR funded check dam on Palar brimming

An official release from Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) on Friday said, the 30-year-old proposal was revived to rejuvenate aquifers on either side of the riverbeds and prevent intrusion of sea water. “This will augment the groundwater supply for the agricultural fields around and enhance water supply to various drinking water schemes,” it added.

The design of this project was approved by IIT Madras since the conventional check dam design would not serve the purpose due to its proximity to the sea and backwaters.

The water stored and recharged through the innovative design can be used for domestic and agricultural purposes in the surrounding areas. The project, at an estimated cost of Rs 32.50 crore was administratively sanctioned by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) for full funding.

The check dam is 1,200-metre long and 1.50-metre tall and a sub-surface dam to a depth of 8 metres below the body wall.

Stating that the work was proposed to be completed within a year on or before March 31, 2020, the IGCAR statement said that it was also proposed to complete the construction work ahead to store flood water in this season.

“Now, the newly-built check dam is almost full after it rained for three days in the last week of October. The perennially dry Palar is brimming with water for a stretch of four km on upstream side of the check dam,” the release said. It added: “It is also seen that the ground water level has improved and the salinity has dipped drastically in and around the villages on Palar river bed.”