Wednesday, February 9 2005 12:37 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Government yesterday (Feb 8, 2005) told the Madras High Court that tenders for the estimated Rs 300 crore New Veeranam Project, expected to end the acute water shortage in the metropolis during drought, had been finalised and work orders would be issued soon.

Attempting to dispel fears that the project would seriously affect agriculturists in parts of Perambalur and Thanjavur districts, Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Drainage Board Managing Director V Thangavelu, in a status report to the court, ruled out digging of giant bore wells and said that only sub-surface water would be extracted.

Stating that ground water level would not be reduced, he said some persons with vested interests were trying to create a fear in the minds of farmers by telling them that on implementation of the scheme, they would be deprived of water for irrigation.

He pointed out that experts of the State PWD (Public Works Department), State ground water wing, Tamil Nadu Drinking Water and Drainage Board and Metro Water had assessed that about 350 million litres daily (MLD) of sub-surface water of River Kolladam could be extracted, including 150 MLD for the city, which represented just 16.8 per cent of the river's total potential of 2360 MLD of ground and sub-surface water.

The scheme, the report said, to be commissioned as a 'fast track project', would be operative only when there was no water in Veeranam lake, particularly in summer months.

Stating that Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had announced construction of three check dams across river Kolladam at a cost of Rs 25 crore each, the report said that the dams were for the purpose of impounding river water. Besides ground water would also be available for farmers.

The report said that priority would also be accorded to providing electricity connections in certain Panchayat unions in Perambalur district for agricultural purposes.

The Government has also decided to stop and quarrying in the area lying between grand anicut and lower anicut in Kolladam river to increase the sand depth, the report added.