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“Puducherry will benefit if rivers are inter-linked”

PUDUCHERRY: Puducherry will gain remarkably if the inter-linking of the Godavari and the Cauvery is achieved as part of the National Water Development Agency (NWDA)’s proposal to link 30 major rivers in the country, according to Chief Engineer of the Public Works Department C. Anandane.

He told reporters here that linking of the Godavari and the Cauvery through the Krishna, the Palar and the Pennar would benefit Puducherry, Karaikal and Yanam.

The component which would link the Pennar from Somasila to the Cauvery at Grand Anicut would have two branches. The Pennar-Palar-Cauvery (Kattalai) link via Villupuram district and town and east of Tirukkoyilur Anicut would feed into ‘Varaha Nadhi,’ popularly known as Sankaraparani River that filled up the Oussodu lake in Puducherry.

This would also benefit a cluster of tanks fed by Vikkravandi Anicut and serve the most water-starved Thirukkanur area in Puducherry.

This link passing through the Malattar and the Pennar feeding the Bahour system tank through Bangaru Channel would enhance the feasibility of ensuring irrigation for one more crop season, thereby conserving the groundwater, he said.

“The Pennar-Palar-Cauvery link project envisages diversion of 8,565 mcum of water from Somasila reservoir located across the Pennar to the Cauvery at Grand Anicut,” Mr.Anandane said.

Since the Grand Anicut would release additional water fed by the new link, it would ensure distribution of more water to the Cauvery tail-end system in the Karaikal region, he said.

Union Minister of Water Resources Saifuddin Soz would preside over the inaugural session of the National Water Convention slated for Thursday and Union Minister of State for Water Resources Jai Prakash Narayan Yadav would chair the valedictory session on Friday, Mr. Anandane said.

Chief Minister N. Rangasamy would participate in both the sessions as chief guest. Director General of the NWDA A.D. Bhardwaj and experts from different parts of the country would take part in the meet held by the Puducherry PWD and the NWDA.

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