Thursday, December 24, 2015

5,000 tanks in Chennai to be renovated under 2nd World Bank IAMWARM project

C Shivakumar
Chennai:
Five thousand tanks in 66 sub-basins in the state would undergo repair and renovation under the proposed World Bank’s Second Tamil Nadu - Irrigated Agriculture Modernization and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management project.

A Water Resources Department source told Express that the project would cost around Rs 2,950 crore and would be implemented in six years period.

Interestingly, this project would ensure more water is saved for irrigation purposes besides resolving the flooding issues. The project is likely to cover tanks in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai districts besides other parts of the state.

The state has a total of 127 sub-basins. Under the First IMAWARM project, 61 sub basins were covered in a period of six years (2007-2013) in four phases with Water Resources Organization (WRO), as the Nodal Agency, said the Water Resources Department official. Rehabilitation of 2,831 tanks in 61 sub basins in 26 Districts were completed, the source added

The first IAMWARM project’s focus was to support investment in improving irrigation service delivery including adoption of modern water-saving irrigation technologies and agricultural practices besides agricultural intensification and diversification . It also focussed on strengthening institutions dealing with water resources management.

Meanwhile, Water Resources Department has already started initiating action in removing encroachments along the water bodies. When Express tried to contact WRD officials on what measures they are undertaking to remove encroachments along water bodies, they refused to comment.

“The matter is sub judice. We have submitted our report to the Madras High Court,” said a Water Resource Department source.

Interestingly, this comes after Madras High Court has asked the government to file a counter explaining steps taken to clear encroachments and also to desilt waterways.

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