A scheme calls for attention

By S. Annamalai

MADURAI, AUG. 29. The water crisis in the delta areas and Chennai is well taken care of by political parties vying with one another in highlighting the issue on every forum. But the industrially backward southern districts face a graver problem. Not much thought has been given to a crucial project which has the potential to bring prosperity to this region.

The diversion of west-flowing rivers, through the linking of the Pamba, the Achankovil and the Vaippar rivers, has been formulated to benefit Kerala and Tamil Nadu mutually.

Besides irrigating 2.26 lakh acres of dry land in Virudhunagar, Tuticorin and Tirunelveli districts, the project will provide the much-needed electricity and drinking water for Kerala. As of now, many parts of Virudhunagar district have already started facing a drinking water crisis.

The scheme envisages diversion of the west-flowing rivers to harness the rainwater which drains into the Arabian Sea every year. As per the estimates of the National Water Development Agency, about 70 per cent of the 2500 tmcft carried by 44 rivers in Kerala is wasted into the sea every year. The Pamba and the Achankovil carry 250 tmcft and 92 per cent of it is drained into the sea in six months, during the two monsoons.

About eight per cent of water is carried by the two rivers during the rest of the year. Experts have attributed this phenomenon to pollution of the river banks, seepage of sea water and inadequate supply of water for irrigation. By constructing three dams across the two rivers water can be regulated during the lean months.

During monsoon, flooding can be prevented. New water supply schemes and power generation units will come up near these dams which can divert a portion of the accumulated water to Tamil Nadu for irrigation.

Kerala will be in a position to generate 1114 million units per annum through which the State can improve its generation capacity by 33 per cent. There is also scope for development of tourist spots and wildlife sanctuaries around the proposed reservoirs, on the lines of Thekkady.

The project report, prepared by the National Water Development Agency, says the scheme can be implemented in eight years at a cost of Rs.1397.91 crores. However, the two States can start reaping the fruits from the third year itself. An annual income of Rs.118.44 crores from agriculture and Rs.275.68 crores through power generation is envisaged through the project. The scheme will have added environmental benefits for Kerala.

The Pamba, which runs for 176 km, has a catchment area extending to 2235 square km. On an average, the river receives 2900 mm of rain in the coastal belt and 3324 mm in the hilly ranges. As per the project, a dam will be constructed across the Pamba Kal Ar, a tributary of the Pamba, at Punnamedu, a high land.

The 128-km-long Achankovil gets an annual rainfall ranging from 2317 to 6556 mm in different areas. The second dam will be located across this river at Achankoil. The third dam will come up on the Achankovil Kal Ar, a major tributary of the Kallar, near Achankovil. The Vaippar, which originates in the Varusanadu ranges near Sivagiri in Tirunelveli district, will be linked to these west-flowing rivers.

Since the average rainfall ranges from 630 to 772 mm, even full utilisation of the flow in the Kallar has proved inadequate for meeting drinking water and irrigation needs. Water from the Punnamedu dam will be brought to the Achankovil Kal dam by gravitation through an eight-km-long horse shoe tunnel.

A portion of the excess water from the three dams will reach Mekkarai in Shencottah taluk of Tirunelveli district through a tunnel. This water will be diverted to the Alagar Odai, a tributary of the Vaippar, through a 51-km open canal.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : After 'bare chest' protest, it is dharna
Next     : Crime prevention squad launched