The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Vayalur checkdam work likely to begin by April

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 08, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Vayalur checkdam work likely to begin by April

By T. Ramakrishnan

CHENNAI, FEB. 7. Work on the Rs. 80-crore Vayalur checkdam, proposed for supplementing Chennai water supply, is likely to be launched by April.

Last week, the Public Works Department, which mooted the proposal, floated bids and the last date for receipt of tenders is March 11. It may take a couple of weeks for scrutiny of documents and selection of successful bidder, officials say.

Though the project duration is 18 months, the Government has instructed the officials that the project should be executed on a "fast-track" basis. Metrowater will bear the cost and the PWD will execute the project.

Located about 75 km south of Chennai, the checkdam, to be constructed across the Palar, will store 500 million cubic feet (mcft) of flood flows and enable saving of about 440 mcft of groundwater.

Under the present plan, 20 million litres a day (MLD) is proposed to be drawn from the new facility.

The officials say that in view of the importance of the project, they have provided for participation of consortia of executing agencies.

As the checkdam is to be built closer to the confluence of the river with the sea, a diaphragm wall, measuring a depth of about 15 metres below the ground, will be built for about two km. Its height will be 3.25 metres.

This will be the first time that the PWD is constructing such a structure, the officials say.

Concrete pavement will be built on either side of the riverbanks to protect nearby villages from possible flooding.

About 60 acres of patta land will be acquired besides a similar extent of poromboke land. The Kancheepuram administration has assured the PWD that it will complete land acquisition at the earliest.

Water demand survey

Metrowater is considering various options for utilising water to be drawn from the dam. The original plan is to convey water to the city using the network created under the New Veeranam Project. Now, the water agency is also thinking of supplying water to information technology companies and other commercial establishments on Old Mahabalipuram Road. It is going to carry out a water demand survey in this stretch and if there is a demand for 20 MLD, Metrowater may opt for this option.

Irrespective of the choice of any option, Metrowater has planned to construct a water treatment plant at Mangalam, about 10 km from the checkdam.

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