Govt allots Rs 146.78 cr for flood canal in rural pockets

According to the GO, Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj will construct 700 span culverts of two different dimensions, 250 minor bridges and 100 causeways (bridges constructed at the level of roads). All the projects would be implemented through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).

The GO also states that total rural road network in the state is about 1.49 lakh kilometres and the cross drainage structures play a major role in allowing flood waters to drain without affecting traffic.

Further, some of the existing cross drainage structures are not functioning and to make sure that the vent ways are functioning it is essential to replace them to make sure that water flow unhindered during floods.

After carrying out a detailed study in all the locations government had decided to construct 400 span culverts with 1.5 metres thickness and another 300 span culverts with 3 meters thickness. Nearly, 250 minor bridges and 100 crossways would be also constructed to create exclusive water ways.

As the construction work is carried out under MGNREGS the entire labour cost is borne by the Centre while the material cost for constructing these structures is shared by the Centre and state at the ratio of 75:25. Among the total sanctioned cost of Rs 146.78 crore, the Centre will contribute Rs 114.12 crore and the remaining Rs 32.66 crore would be borne by the state.

The announcement was made by Minister for Municipal Administration SP Velumani, in the Assembly, on July 8.

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 700 span culverts of two different dimensions

 400 with 1.5 metres thickness

 300 with 3 meters thickness

 250 minor bridges and 100 causeways (bridges constructed at the level of roads)

 To be implemented through Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme

 Labour cost borne by Centre

 Material cost shared by Centre and state at the ratio of 75:25