Repair work of Periyar Main Canal begins

Madurai: Commercial taxes and registration minister P Moorthy on Monday inaugurated repair works of Periyar Main Canal that irrigates farmlands in the region. The canal and its branch channels will be repaired for about 11 kilometres between 47.100 km and 58 km stretch. The project has been taken up with Nabard funding of ₹4.7 crore which would benefit Mankulam, Chinnamankulam, Kandamuthupatti, Meenakshipuram and Thethampatti in Madurai East block and Kidaripatti, Arittapatti, A Vallalapatti, Pulipatti, Ettimangalam, Soorakundu, Kallampatti, Therkkutheru, Narasingampatti and Thiruvathavur in Melur block. The work includes removal of juliflora trees along the canal banks, repairing concrete slabs of the canal, rainwater drains including inlets and outlets, weirs and renovating the bridge across the canal at 47.9 km. Moorthy said repair works will stop water wastage when the water is released for irrigation. The canal will be restored to carry its total capacity. When the works are completed, 192 tanks and 22,332 acres of farmlands in 15 villages will benefit. Apart from irrigation, the full flow will enable recharging of groundwater table and fulfil the drinking water needs of these villages, Moorthy said. People from Mankulam complained that the road in their area is affected during rainy season, and requested a bridge to commute during rainy season. The minister directed public works department officials to prepare a project report for the bridge and commence works within a week. Sholavandhan MLA A Venkatesan, district revenue officer R Sakthivel and officials were also present.