‘Construction of barrage across the Cauvery at Nanjai Pugalur will be completed by December’

Construction of a new barrage across the Cauvery between Nanjai Pugalur in Kaur district and Anichampalayam in Namakkal district will be completed by December, according to R. Vijay Saravanan, Chairman, State Assembly Committee on Assurances.

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the progress of various projects in Karur district, Mr. Saravanan said here that the project aimed at saving around 0.8 TMC of surplus water. It had reached an advanced stage with more than 88% of works had been completed.

The project was being implemented at a cost of ₹495 crore., and ₹343 crore had been spent so far. A revised estimate had been prepared to complete the project at a cost of ₹545 crore and it was under the consideration of the State government. Officials had promised that the barrage would be completed by December, he added.

A sum of ₹4.75 crore was spent on rejuvenating and removing silt at discharge points on the right bank canal of Amaravati River in Aravakurichi, Pugalur and Manmangalam taluks to ensure that the water reached tail-end areas. Construction of a marriage hall at an estimate of ₹5.30 crore on behalf of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowment at Thanthonimalai on a plot owned by Kalyana Venkataramana Swamy Temple was set to be completed shortly.

The Committee members visited various areas to review the ongoing projects and many of them were progressing well. Officials had been given instructions to complete the projects within the stipulated time period, he further said.