It will be rehabilitated at a cost of ₹426 crore to protect it from the effects of urbanization
The state government is planning a complete renovation and rehabilitation of the Uyyakondan canal to stop the sewage flow into it.
Municipal Administration Minister KN Nehru said in an informal conversation with reporters after inaugurating the planting of 1.25 lakh saplings at the Mela Vadugapatti that sewage is being dumped into the Uyakondan canal at various places. In order to find a permanent solution, the Public Works Department (PWD) had decided to execute a rehabilitation project. As per initial estimates, the project was expected to cost Rs 426 crore. The entire stretch of canal from Pettavaithalai in Karur district to Vazhavantanakottai in Thanjavur district will be rehabilitated and rehabilitated so as to protect the canal from the effects of urbanization.
Collector S. Shivarasu will hold a meeting with senior officials of the PWD and the corporation on Monday. Shri Nehru said that all the issues related to the canal would be discussed in detail so that a list of works to be done could be prepared.
Sivarasu said that it has been found that sewage was being discharged into the canal at 32 points in the 15 km long city. The proposed meeting will discuss ways and means to protect water for irrigation from urban pollution. Based on this, a detailed project report will be prepared.
The canal, which was believed to have developed around 1,000 years ago in the Chola period, has been facing the onslaught of urban pollution for many years. The canal, which originates from the Kaveri River near Pettavaithalai, runs for about 70 km through Puthur Veer, Anna Nagar, Palakkarai and Vazhavanthankottai in Thanjavur district. It irrigates 32,000 acres. It also feeds 36 small and large irrigation tanks in Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts.
But rapid urbanization has caused heavy pollution of the canal. Solid waste is also dumped at many places.
Efforts were made in recent times to rehabilitate the city stretch of the canal. The PWD had implemented a rehabilitation project worth Rs 11.50 crore a few years back and constructed a 1,250-metre retaining wall near Palakkarai.
Pat for Young Indians
Earlier, Mr. Nehru lauded the participation of Young Indians (Yi) Tiruchi, a part of the Confederation of Indian Industry, in growing plantations under the Miyawaki method of urban forestry.
He presented mementos to Kaveri Annamalai, President, Yi, Tiruchi Chapter; Pradeep, Co-Chair; Gopinath Kumaran, President- Rural Initiatives; and members of CII and Yi commended their efforts to increase urban forests.
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