Special officer takes stock of delta data on irrigation

Additional Secretary M. Balaji, who has been appointed by the State government to monitor supply of water for irrigation in the Cauvery delta, visited Mukkombu and Kallanai on Tuesday.

Mr. Balaji — the first officer to hold the newly created post of Special Officer, Delta Irrigation, — collected data on pattern of water release into the Cauvery and Pullambadi, Peruvalai and Ayyan canals from Mukkombu Upper Anicut.

Before inspecting the restoration works across the Kollidam, he held discussions at Mukkombu with R. Senthil Kumar, Chief Engineer, Water Resources Department, Tiruchi region, T. P. Ganesan, Executive Engineer, Tiruchi, and senior officials about the irrigation plan being implemented in Tiruchi, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Pudukottai and Ariyalur districts.

Mr. Balaji sought to know the steps being taken to ensure adequate water supply to the delta areas in the aftermath of collapse of a portion of the Kollidam regulator.

Restoration work

Inspecting the ongoing restoration works, he checked whether the ring bund supported by another bund of stone boulders was strong enough to withstand the water current in the event of heavy inflow in the Cauvery and the forthcoming north-east monsoon.

PWD officials explained to him that seepage of water through the boulders had been contained to a great extent. It was less than 5% of total inflow in the Cauvery.

As he was holding the discussions, 19,000 cusecs was realised at Mukkombu Upper Anicut. Of it, 18,000 cusecs was released into the Cauvery. Pullambadi, Peruvalai and Ayyan canals carried 700 cusecs. About 300 cusecs was flowing in the Kollidam through the gaps of the boulder bridge.

Later, Mr. Balaji visited Kallanai and held discussions with the Chief Engineer, Superintendent Engineer and Executive Engineers on the quantum of water released into the Cauvery, Grand Anicut canal, Vennar and the Kollidam.

He also inspected the steps taken to ensure flow of water to tail-end areas of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Pudukottai districts.

He also visited various branch canals in Budalur taluks in Thanjavur district to check the supply of water for irrigation.

The senior official then visited various tail-end areas in Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam. He is expected to spend a few more days to take stock of water supply in the areas.

Source