Central water board to undertake aquifer mapping in six districts

Stating that the scheme was drafted five years ago, Kandasamy said, the mapping would be undertaken in 150 locations across Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Villupuram, Cuddalore, Kancheepuram and Tiruvallur districts. Of the 150 locations, 23 would fall within 15 panchayats in Tiruvannamalai district, he added.

The mapping would detect the quality and quantity of water available, availability depth and how long the present resources would last, Kandasamy said adding that the mapping would be done through sinking of bore wells.  The wells would be sunk in panchayat areas and after the mapping process is over, the wells would be handed over to the respective panchayats, he added. 

Urging the public to be not afraid, he said, these borewells had no connection with the hydrocarbon project which had scared the people. Hydrocarbon was available on a soft rock base 3000 metres below ground level whereas Tiruvannamalai has a very hard rock surface, Kandasamy said.