State announces 312 projects, conservation of water gets priority

CHENNAI: The poor northeast monsoon in the last couple of years has prompted the state government to announce a slew of projects to conserve water through construction of check dams, artificial recharge structures, repairs, renovation and restoration of tanks as drinking water sources. Chief minister J Jayalalithaa made 312 announcements, including on infrastructure and welfare projects, during the concluding session of the collectors' meet here. While the last season was bad, the monsoon which arrived on October 22 this year has not brought any cheer to the state. Tamil Nadu is deficient by 32% for the period between October 1 and December 11. Except Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari, the rest of the state continued to suffer from the deficiency. As per regional meteorological data, TN recorded 27.3cm of rain in the current season, against the normal average of 40cm. Days after directing collectors to gear up to counter unforeseen natural calamities, Jayalalithaa announced that various conservation projects and water supply schemes would be taken up for the benefit of the people. More than eight tanks in Tiruvarur will be renovated, and tanks, anaicuts and supply channels will be renovated in four places in Trichy. About 1,200 small drinking water tanks will be renovated in Ramanathapuram. Desilting will be taken up in Kamalalayam tank in Tiruvarur and 755 panchayat union tanks and 437 former zamin tanks in Ramanathapuram will be renovated. She also announced check dams in Madurai, Tiruvallur and Dindigul. "Conservation projects will have to have people's participation to make it a success. They have to keep water sources clean and protected," said K Karunakaran, former vice-chancellor, Anna University. Source - TOI - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/State-announces-312-projects-conservation-of-water-gets-priority/articleshow/27314835.cms

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