Madurantakam tank, one of the ancient and large water bodies in Chengalpattu district, set for a makeover by September
The tank, which has a historical significance and constructed across the Kiliyar river (Palar river's tributary), is undergoing a major restoration worth nearly Rs.172.66 crore after several years.
Though the work was initiated in June 2022, the project has missed a few deadlines in the past two years. They wanted the works to be completed soon as it was a vital source of drinking water and irrigation needs for several villages in Madurantakam.
R.Shanmugam, an organic farmer in Madurantakam, said, 'My house is within one km from the tank. The dried-up water body last year had an impact on groundwater level that dropped by up to 10 feet. This year, the tank has water. It must be rejuvenated soon to help irrigate lands in villages dependent on it.'
Spread over 1,058 hectares, the tank would soon be able to store nearly 791 million cubic feet once the work is completed. According to the department, extreme weather events between 2022 and 2024, including cyclone Michaung, pushed the deadline beyond two years. The deadline was extended to September 2025 to complete the work.
Officials of the WRD said the tank would have an enhanced storage capacity after 1985-86. Nearly 90% of the work, including deepening the tank bed, repairing damaged sluices and forming new foreshore bund for 18.5 km, has been finished so far. The foreshore bund would prevent inundation of agricultural lands in the vicinity. The tank's weirs have been remodelled to facilitate more storage space.
'We have completed 92% of the work to construct a spillway with 12 radial shutters. This will be a dam-like structure to control release of floodwater when the tank touches its full level. It will have a capacity to discharge up to 1.12 lakh cubic feet per second of water,' said an official.
The department has also accelerated work to improve Nelvoy Maduvu channel and Kiliyar river, which bring water to Madurantakam tank. The project is expected to improve access of drinking water to 38 villages, including Vedanthangal and Pudupattu, and irrigate nearly 3,077.47 hectare of land three times a year. The facelift would also revive the tank as a habitat for migratory birds. There are also plans to add recreational facilities along with the Tourism department in the second phase.
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