Tamil Nadu: Kallanai opened for delta’s paddy crop
Tiruchi: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Sunday released water from the Grand Anicut, which is expected to irrigate about 13 lakh acres of land in the delta region and directed officials to ensure that the water reaches the last reaches of the delta. The water released from Mettur Dam on June 12 had reached the Upper Anicut in Tiruchi on Saturday and reached the Grand Anicut on Sunday and the Chief Minister, who was in Thanjavur for a two-day visit, released water from the Grand Anicut (also known as Kallanai) into the Cauvery, Vennar, Grand Anicut Canal and Kollidam to irrigate the delta region. A total of 1,500 cusecs of water was released into the Cauvery and Vennar, 500 cusecs into the Grand Anicut Canal and 400 cusecs into Kollidam.
Officials said the quantity of water would be gradually increased. Before the release of water, a desilting programme was carried out in 5021.74 km area in the delta region at a cost of Rs 98 crore. The Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to ensure that water reaches the tail-end areas to aid kuruvai and samba cultivation spread over 13 lakh acres. Meanwhile, the Chief Minister accepted the pleas of farmers as well as the general public, who had gathered in large numbers to welcome him. Ministers KN Nehru, S Regupathy, SS Sivasankar, Govi Chezhiyan, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi and Siva V Meyyanathan, elected representatives and officials attended the event.
