1,525 ponds to be desilted in Tirupur

Tirupur: The district rural development agency (DRDA) will desilt and carry out developmental works in 1,525 ponds under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Scheme (MGNREGS) in the district. Animal husbandry minister K Radhakrishnan, in the presence of collector KS Palanisamy , inaugurated the project in a pond in Periyapatti panchayat near Gudimangalam on Monday.

The work will be carried out in 98 ponds in Avinashi, 48 in Dharapuram, 74 in Gudimangalam, 45 in Kangeyam, 77 in Kundadam, 33 in Madathukulam, 36 in Moolanur, 65 in Palladam, 48 in Pongalur, 39 in Tirupur, 118 in Udumalpet, 116 in Uthukuli, and 27 in Vellakoil.

The government has allocated Rs 1 crore for desilting and Rs 2 crore for establishing baby ponds and other required structures under the MGNREGS.

Initially the work would be carried out on 824 ponds in the district for which Rs 24.72 crore has been allocated .

The revenue officials said apart from desilting and developmental works, complete maintenance of the water bodies would also be undertaken.