After 9 years, Mettur dam opens on time

Coimbatore

Water is being released from Mettur dam for the delta irrigation on the customary date of June 12 after nine years as it was opened on the same date last in 2011. After the initial release of 3000 cusecs at the time of opening the dam, the discharge would be gradually stepped up to 10,000 cusecs by Friday night.

“The discharge from the dam will continue for 90 days and is expected to irrigate crops in 5.22 lakh acres, including 3.25 lakh acres under kuruvai cultivation, in Delta districts,” the Chief Minister said.

The requirement for Delta irrigation is 125 thousand million cubic feet (TMC). Of this, 100 TMC will be supplied from Mettur dam while the remaining requirement will be met through monsoon rain. The dam has been maintaining a storage level of more than 100 feet for over 300 days, he said.

On the issue of drinking water scarcity, the Chief Minister said that the government has sanctioned funds and respective district collectors can utilise it to sort out the issue in places where there is a shortage of drinking water.

Listing out the various development projects including those undertaken under kudimaramathu project to improve water situation, the Chief Minister said that the project to divert excess water from Mettur to fill 100 ponds being executed at a cost outlay of Rs 565 crore will get over by January next year.

Responding to a query on fee collection by private schools, the Chief Minister assured action if parents come forward and lodge complaints against such violations. He also said that schools would be reopened once COVID-19 spread was brought under control.

On the cost of COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals, the Chief Minister said that the cost was fixed by the Central government.