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Govt orders diversion of 0.5tmcft of Mettur surplus water to Salem tanks

Chennai: In a bid to store flood water in the dry regions of Sarabanga basin, the state government on Tuesday issued an order to divert 0.5tmcft of flood surplus from Mettur reservoir to 100 tanks in Salem district. Sanctioning the Rs 565crore project that would benefit farmers of Mettur, Omalur, Edappadi and Sankari taluks, the government also okayed acquisition of 241.05 acres of patta land in Salem district through ‘private negotiation’.

Edappadi assembly seat is represented by CM Edappadi K Palaniswami.

The project has been envisaged to irrigate dry regions in Salem district. Despite its proximity to Mettur reservoir, many areas in Salem district do not get water for irrigation. “There is a necessity to feed the dry tanks located in elevated areas, which are higher than the full tank level of Mettur reservoir, through pumping,” said an order. Water would be diverted from the left flank of the reservoir water spread area. The main pumping station will be in Thippampatti of Gonur village in Mettur, and water pumped will be diverted to two tank groups - Mecheri that begins from Kalipatti tank and Nangavalli from Nangavalli tank.

About 214 cusecs will be pumped for a month, especially during the southwest monsoon, which would mean 555mcft of surplus water would be diverted. Implementation of the scheme would benefit 33 tanks in Edappadi tank group and 67 tanks of M Kalipatti group with an ayacut of 4,238 acres. Ground water table in these areas has dipped in recent years due to over exploitation using borewells. They have not been getting adequate rain too.

The Salem collector had suggested to the government that 241.05 acres of patta land may be acquired by way of ‘private negotiation’. During the initial survey, no objections were received from the pattadhars and land owners, who would be beneficiaries if the project materialises. “Farmers are willing to part with their lands,” the order said. Officials said district-level committees led by the collector would sort out acquisition issues, if any, across the board, instead of going by laws and rules. The land acquisition cost is estimated at Rs 35.03crore based on the current guideline value and provisions of the new land acquisition act.

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