Lifeline: Chief Minister M.K. Stalin showering flower petals on the water released from the Kallanai in Thanjavur district on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: M. Moorthy
Water was released from the Kallanai (the Grand Anicut) for irrigation in the Cauvery delta region by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Sunday.
The water discharged from the Stanley Reservoir at Mettur will be channelised through the Cauvery, the Vennar, and the Grand Anicut Canal for irrigation in the delta region. Mr. Stalin had opened the shutters of the Stanley Reservoir on June 12.
To mark the water release from the Grand Anicut, located on the border of Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts, the Chief Minister showered flower petals and paddy seeds on the water released into the Cauvery and the Vennar and the Grand Anicut Canal after pressing the buttons to lift the shutters.
The Chief Minister arrived at the Grand Anicut by Sunday afternoon. After a brief stay at the PWD Travellers Bungalow situated on the banks of the Cauvery, he lifted the shutters by around 6 p.m.
According to an official release, 1,500 cusecs would be released in the Cauvery and the Vennar each and 500 cusecs in the Grand Anicut Canal. About 400 cusecs would flow in the Kollidam. Around 13 lakh acres would be irrigated with the water released from the Kallanai.
The quantum and pattern of water release would depend on the requirement, storage in the Stanley Reservoir, the rainfall, and realisation of Cauvery water from Karnataka.
During the current year, rivers, canals, and drainage channels have been desilted to a length of 5,021 km at a cost of ₹98 crore in Salem, Namakkal, Erode, Karur, Tiruchi, Ariyalur, Perambalur, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, and Pudukottai districts. The Chief Minister instructed officials to ensure that the water reached the tail-end areas, the release added.
State Ministers and the Collectors of the Cauvery delta districts were present at the event.
Published – June 15, 2025 08:56 pm IST