Tamil Nadu to allocate Rs 5,000 crore in phases to fast-track major river-linking projects

CHENNAI: The state administration will allocate Rs 5, 000 crore in a phased manner to expedite the implementation of major river-linking projects in the state, Water Resources Minister N Anand stated in the Assembly on Wednesday.

Key points

• The projects, confirmed under the Vettri Thamizhagam Vision, seek to link the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar, South Pennar-Palar, Pennar-Cheyyar, and the Thamirabarani-Vaippar rivers.
• According to the WRD policy note tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu faces an uneven distribution of rainfall.
• Replying during the demands for grants for the water resources department, Anand remarked the administration would take steps to complete them at the earliest.
• "River interlinking has been identified as one of the most effective long-term measures for ensuring equitable distribution of water resources across the state, " the policy note remarked.
• The main objective of the projects is to utilise surplus floodwater that would otherwise flow into the sea and divert it to water-deficit areas through canals.

For context, the projects, confirmed under the Vettri Thamizhagam Vision, seek to link the Cauvery-Vaigai-Gundar, South Pennar-Palar, Pennar-Cheyyar, and the Thamirabarani-Vaippar rivers. Though the projects have already been confirmed by successive governments for decades, a number of are yet to be fully implemented.

According to the WRD policy note tabled in the Assembly on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu faces an uneven distribution of rainfall. While some river basins receive heavy flow during the monsoon, a number of other regions face frequent drought and water scarcity.

Meanwhile, the main objective of the projects is to utilise surplus floodwater that would otherwise flow into the sea and divert it to water-deficit areas through canals. The inter-basin transfer of water is projected to improve irrigation, recharge groundwater, stabilise existing ayacut and rise water storage in tanks.

Notably, the projects are additionally anticipated to support reduce flood damage and improve water availability in water-scarce regions.

Notably, the WRD is at present taking up a number of major river-linking projects at different stages, including land acquisition, preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), technical appraisal and execution.

Once completed, the projects are projected to rise irrigation potential, improve water availability in drought-prone districts and support rejuvenate tanks and reservoirs. They are additionally anticipated to strengthen groundwater resources and provide long-term benefits to farming communities.

Notably, the administration will accord priority to these projects and implement them in phases, taking into account financial resources and sustainability, the minister stated.

Taken together, the developments around tamil Nadu to allocate Rs 5, 000 crore in phases to fast-track major point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.