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Siruthuli begins desilting Chithiraichavadi Anicut

Special Correspondent

Objective is to remove 60,000 cubic metres of silt

UNCLOGGING A LIFELINE: Siruthuli's initiative to desilt the Chithiraichavadi Anicut across the Noyyal began on Monday. - Photo: K. Ananthan

COIMBATORE: Siruthuli, the people's initiative to conserve water resources, began desilting the Chithiraichavadi Anicut on Monday. Siruthuli said the objective was to remove 60,000 cubic metres of silt. One cubic metre could hold 1,000 litres of water, it said. When the entire silt was removed, the anicut could hold more water. This would help recharge the groundwater table over 10 sq.km. The area of irrigation under the anicut and channel was 3,791 acres. The organisation put the cost of the project at Rs.17.50 lakh. It would contribute Rs.5.25 lakh and hoped for the State Government to meet the rest of the cost through the Water Resources Organisation (WRO) of the Public Works Department (PWD).

Siruthuli has already begun the work by using its funds. Chithiraichavadi is a 11-km channel that brings water to the following tanks: Pudukulam, Kolarampathi, Narasampathi, Krishnampathi, Selvampathi, Kumaraswamy and Selvachinthamani. Surplus water from Selvachinthamani used to flow to Big Tank and Valankulam at Ukkadam in Coimbatore, a press release from Siruthuli said.

The anicut was part of the Noyyal river system. The river originated from Vellingiri and the Boluvampatty Hills in the Western Ghats that had a cluster of small rivers and streams such as Chinnar, Periyar, Masaorambu, Mundanthurai and Kanchimaanadi rivers. From here, the river flowed 160 eastward and joined River Cauvery at a village called Noyyal in Erode District. The river system consisted of 20 anicuts and 28 tanks in Coimbatore District. Now, the objective was to remove the silt, strengthen the bunds and also carry out repairs to the sluices and support structures. The entire work was expected to be over in 10 days. Siruthuli Managing Trustee Vanita Mohan said there was overwhelming support from the farmers belonging to the Chithiraichavadi Paasana Vivasayigal Sangham.

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