Seven Water Bodies In And Around Tiruchi To Be Rejuvenated

The Tamil Nadu Urban Infrastructure Financial Services Ltd. (TNUIFSL) plans to use its Project Development Grant Fund (PDGF) for the revitalization of seven waterbodies located in Tiruchi city and its surrounding areas. The primary objective is to enhance the supply of drinking water and address various water-related needs.

The seven identified waterbodies earmarked for restoration include Panjapur Lake, Kothamangalam Big Tank, Kothamangalam Small Tank, Punganur Tank, Malaipatti Tank, Kallikudi Tank, and Pirattiyur Tank. TNUIFSL is set to appoint a consultant shortly to prepare a feasibility report and a detailed project report for the rejuvenation of these waterbodies. This initiative aims to not only improve their condition but also to augment the drinking water supply, catering to the current and future requirements of Tiruchi city and neighboring local bodies.

The combined water storage capacity of the seven tanks targeted for rejuvenation is approximately 100 million cubic feet (mcft), serving irrigation needs for nearly 392 hectares of land. The restoration process involves clearing the inlet channels to ensure a smooth water flow into the tanks, desilting the waterbodies to restore their original capacity, and reinforcing embankments.

Furthermore, the appointed consultant is expected to explore opportunities for effectively utilizing the surrounding space of the waterbodies. This includes the creation of walkways, green spaces, and parks, providing a makeover to the area. Given the rapid pace of urbanization, the revitalization of waterbodies in and around Tiruchi city is deemed crucial for meeting the future drinking water needs of the region.

Recently, the Ministry of Jal Shakti has released the report of India’s first water bodies census, a comprehensive data base of ponds, tanks, lakes, and reservoirs in the country. The census was conducted in 2018-19, and enumerated more than 2.4 million water bodies across all states and Union Territories.

Maharashtra State is the leading state for water conservation schemes. Whereas West Bengal has highest number of ponds & reservoirs, whereas Andhra Pradesh has highest number of tanks, Tamil Nadu has highest number of lakes.