Five major dams in T.N. to be rehabilitated soon under DRIP II

Five major dams in the State, which are over five decades old, are proposed to be rehabilitated soon under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP)–II with the World Bank assistance.

The projects, which aim to ensure dam safety and improve the operation of the structures, are in various stages of implementation. The Water Resources Department would soon start work to rehabilitate Vaigai dam and carry out catchment area treatment works at a cost of nearly ₹20 crore.

Officials of the WRD said the catchment treatment area works are imperative to reduce soil erosion in the catchment area through various measures and reduce sedimentation in the reservoir. Various engineering works, including construction of check dams, and biological measures like plantation would be implemented as part of the project. The Vaigai dam was inaugurated in 1959 and benefited residents of districts, including Ramanathapuram and Madurai.

Similarly, tender is being finalised for works to repair the Bhavanisagar dam built across Bhavani river. The work would be executed at a cost of ₹19.89 crore.

Officials noted many major dams were nearly five to seven decades old and needed to be rehabilitated for hydrological safety. Various components of the work would include repairing or replacing the shutters and adding more vents. These projects would be implemented based on the recommendations of the Dams Safety Review Panel.

The department is awaiting World Bank’s nod to start renovation works in Anaikuttam dam in Virudhunagar district, Mirugandanadhi dam in Tiruvannamalai district and Amaravathy dam. The earthen bund in the upstream portion of Anaikuttam dam would also be strengthened along with works to improve the shutters, officials said.

“We are also preparing proposals for dam rehabilitation project in Willington (Cuddalore district) and catchment area treatment works at Mettur dam,” said an official.

The WRD has accelerated ongoing works in dams, including at Sathanur and Sholayar. While the ₹90 crore project in Sathanur dam is nearing completion, the department has so far finished nearly 80% of the works at Sholayar dam. Two other dams-Kelavarapalli and Upper Nirar have been renovated.

Instrumentation has been finished for real time water level monitoring and measuring various weather parameters in 17 dams so far. The DRIP-II worth nearly ₹610.26 crore would be completed by December 2027.