WRD to strengthen canals linking reservoirs in Chennai for seamless flow of Krishna water

In an effort to ensure seamless flow of Krishna water received from Andhra Pradesh to various Chennai reservoirs, the Water Resources Department will soon begin works to improve flood-affected waterways. This forms part of a ₹1,321-crore project, under which 254 works will be implemented across Tamil Nadu.

The State government had recently approved various projects, including construction of new irrigation structures, waterbodies restoration, flood protection and mitigation measures, and dam management, in many districts, including Cuddalore, Dharmapuri, Kanniyakumari, Ramanathapuram, and Ranipet. The projects will be implemented under the Comprehensive Water Resources Development Programme.

In Tiruvallur district, three projects, which are crucial to the transfer and storage of drinking water in major reservoirs, will be started sometime in the next two months. Officials said damaged portions of the Kandaleru-Poondi (K-P) Canal would be strengthened with a slope protection lining and retaining wall for nearly 2 km at a cost of ₹10.20 crore.

Inflow of 500 cusecs

For the past few days now, the K-P Canal has been receiving an improved inflow of 500 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of Krishna water. However, there was a minimum of 5%-10% seepage loss before reaching the Poondi reservoir. After the canal’s vulnerable portions are strengthened near places such as Uthukottai and Tamaraikuppam, further risks of bund erosion and seepage loss can be prevented. The risk of floods at places near the canal, such as Sevvapet, will also decrease, officials said.

Chennai has received nearly 785 million cubic feet (mcft) of Krishna water since July 1. If an inflow of 500 cusecs is maintained daily, it will boost the city reservoirs’ storage by nearly 1,300 mcft. This is equal to a month’s water supply for the city. “We will be able to augment the reservoirs’ storage this year as Andhra Pradesh authorities have assured us of supply till the end of the year,” an official said.

The WRD will also repair three old shutters at the confluence point of the Allikuzhi Odai and K-P Canal and ensure canal safety. The channel, which originates in the Allikuzhi Reserve Forest area, crosses the K-P Canal and drains into the Kosasthalaiyar.

The damaged portion of a feeder canal, which conveys Krishna water from the Poondi reservoir to the one in Red Hills, will be repaired and improved with slope protection lining and retaining wall for a length of 3.3 km near Sirukadal. Culverts and inlets in the canal will also be repaired. “We have already carried out similar works in the canal’s tail-end. It has the capacity to carry 500 cusecs. Most of the ₹10.75-crore work will be completed by the onset of Northeast monsoon,” an official said.

The feeder canal, which transports Krishna water from the Poondi reservoir to the one in Red Hills, will be improved with slope protection lining and retaining wall.
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