TNIAMP phase II works to start in April

According to a WRD official, the phase one work is expected to be completed by June.

“The first phase of the project was started in 2017. As part of it, work is in progress at 45 artificial recharge wells in 18 sub-basins, 1,325 tanks and 107 anicuts. For this World Bank assisted project, a sum of nearly Rs 744 crore has been set aside. Among the sub-basins being covered are Thirumanimuthar, Pachyar, Chittar and Uppar,” said K Ramamurthy, Chief Engineer, TNIAMP, WRD.

Also, an amount of Rs 43.63 crore has been sanctioned for the rehabilitation of 57 tanks that were affected during the 2015 floods. “We have finished about 80 per cent of the work, and it is expected to complete the works part of first phase by June,” he added.

The official said that the phase two work is expected to start in April, as the agreement process was delayed. “The phase two work was expected to start in mid-March. But due to the delay in agreement process by agencies, it has been pushed to April. In phase two, rehabilitation of 906 tanks and 183 anicuts and construction at 37 artificial recharge wells in 16 sub-basins would be taken up at a cost of Rs 649.55 crore under World Bank funding,” said Ramamurthy.