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The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Kalingarayan Anicut in Erode to restored at ₹1.34 crore
The 742-year-old Kalingarayan Anicut, one of the oldest river-linking projects still in use, is all set to be revamped, as the State government will soon carry out restoration works estimated at ₹1.34 crore. The anicut was constructed across River Bhavani, just above its confluence with River Cauvery, at Mettunasuvampalayam in Bhavani. The Kalingarayan Canal, which originates from the right side of the anicut, runs for 91.10 km, irrigating 15,743 acres in the district before joining River Noyyal at Kodumudi. The construction of the anicut and canal was carried out between 1271 and 1283 by the Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan Gounder. It is the second and last anicut across the river below Bhavanisagar Dam. In recognition of its historical significance, the anicut system was declared a 'World Heritage Irrigation Structure' by the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) in 2021. A memorial, including a statue of the chieftain, stands near the anicut and is visited by many. Though restoration works have been undertaken over the years, the lack of basic amenities for visitors, students, and farmers has long been a concern. In 2024–25, the Water Resources Department (WRD) decided to address these issues by providing facilities such as toilets, parking, and water supply. It also proposed the establishment of a museum to exhibit old photographs, 3D models, and materials highlighting the history of the heritage structure. Additionally, all components of the anicut are to be renovated, as per Government Order No. 50 issued by the WRD on November 12, 2024. As part of the project, the anicut structures will be revamped, a museum will be set up to educate the public about its history, a tourist park will be developed, and a three-dimensional schematic model will be installed. The project also includes the renovation of canal shutters and the provision for drinking water, toilet facilities, and vehicle parking space. The estimated cost of the work is ₹1.34 crore, and the WRD, Bhavani Basin Circle, has recently floated a tender for its execution. The last date for submission of e-tender is June 10, and the tenders will be opened on the same day. The selected contractor will be given a 12-month period to complete the project.
Shafaq News
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Shafaq News
New life for ancient rivers: Iraq's water initiative gains UN acclaim
Shafaq News/ Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani unveiled a regional initiative to protect the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, as Iraq faces one of its most critical water crises in decades. Speaking at the 5th Baghdad International Water Conference, held on Saturday under the theme Water and Technology: Partnership for Development, al-Sudani outlined a strategy focused on joint water management, modernized irrigation, and cross-border cooperation. 'We live through economic, social, and security challenges, all of which depend on the availability of water,' al-Sudani said. 'This is not just an infrastructure issue—it touches every part of life and demands collective responsibility.' The initiative drew praise from Marco Arcieri, president of the UN-affiliated International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), who commended Iraq's historic leadership in water systems. 'Iraq has always been a pioneer in water management,' Arcieri said. 'With today's technologies and regional collaboration, it can lead once again.' He emphasized that global partners are actively supporting Iraq in deploying advanced technologies to bolster water and food security. Iraq's water supply has been shrinking rapidly. Flows from the Tigris and Euphrates—its main water sources—have dropped by up to 40% due to upstream dams, climate change, and prolonged droughts, leading to shrinking reservoirs, dying farmlands, polluted water, and the growing displacement of rural communities. Supporting the prime minister's call, Water Resources Minister Aoun Diab described Iraq as one of the most water-stressed nations in the world, grappling with 'complex and overlapping challenges.' 'The biggest threat isn't just water scarcity—it's the lack of cooperation,' Diab said, urging neighboring countries to engage in joint river basin management. Diab also noted that Iraq is pursuing a plan to improve water governance and align with sustainable development goals. Speaking on behalf of President Abdul Latif Rashid, Presidential Advisor Mohammed Amin underscored Iraq's downstream vulnerability in both river basins, calling for a binding agreement with Turkiye to secure a fair water share. 'This is not a temporary challenge—it is a national crisis,' Amin said, adding that climate change and unregulated water usage are accelerating the problem.
Iraqi News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Iraqi News
resources Ministry reveal the contents of its 5th BIWC from May 24 to 26
Baghdad-INA The Ministry of Water Resources revealed today, Friday, the details of its fifth Baghdad international water conference (BIWC) scheduled from May 24 to 26. "under the patronage of Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani and under the supervision of Minister of Water Resources Aoun Diab Abdullah, the Ministry of Water Resources is organizing its5th BIWC, which will host the eleventh conference on precision irrigation of the International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage from May 24 to 26 of this year,' The ministry stated in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA) . The head of the scientific and technical committee for the conference, Hatim Hamid Hussein, stated in the statement that "the conference witnesses wide participation from local and international political figures, international organizations, and civil society organizations, in addition to Iraqi ministries, experts, and academics in the fields of water resource management and climate change," indicating that "the conference aims to highlight the challenges facing the water sector and propose practical solutions to overcome it." He explained that "the ministry is set to launch the initiative 'Protection of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers' during the conference, in collaboration with government agencies, international organizations, and civil society organizations several memoranda of understanding will also be signed with local and international technical and scientific entities to implement strategic projects, he pointed out that "the conference will also address issues related to marshlands, and the role of women and youth in water resource management, in addition to holding specialized workshops with the participation of the Supreme Council for Youth and local and international research centers."
Business Mayor
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Mayor
Come to a Pakistandstill: India wields Indus Treaty as strategic weapon to isolate Pakistan over terror
Pakistan was bestowed rights to receive for unrestricted use all those waters of the western rivers that India was under obligation to let flow under the extant provisions. Thus, by design, India was magnanimous in providing water to Pakistan. India has always helped nations in the neighbourhood – Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh. This benevolence yielded results for the economic renaissance of these countries. But Pakistan was the odd one out, digging a deep trench for itself even as India tried its best to engage with it for peace and prosperity. The benevolent, tactical 'Sada-e-Sarhad' bus diplomacy of the Vajpayee government, initiating a passage of people's movement through borders, promising to foster abundant trade and commerce, never fructified. Successive military rules, directly or by proxy, orchestrating anti- India moves, ensured only frosty results. Such non-economic intervention has ensured that Pakistan GDP has grown at a snail's pace, flip-flopping from $339 bn in FY17 to $373 bn in FY24. Average growth comes to less than 1.5% in the intermittent period, even as average inflation since FY21 stands at 16.8% with red-hot high price prints of 29.2% and 23.4% in FY23 and FY24, respectively. The Pakistani rupee, mirroring internal fractures of a failed state, depreciated by 100% between September 2021 and August 2023 in a vicious cycle. While both food and energy have retraced in recent days, there are apparently fault lines in the calculation methodology, as share of food and beverages comes at just 36% in its CPI Pakistan stands 13th in terms of countries with highest defence spending as percentage of GDP. Market capitalisation of the KSE-100-led Pakistan Stock Exchange is only 15% of total GDP, undermining investors' lack of confidence even as KSE-100 has remained flat International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID) report puts the rural population percentage at about 63% for the fifth most-populous country on the planet, its current population estimated to be more than 25 cr. Livelihoods of Pakistan's rural population are mainly agriculture-based, which, in turn, is dependent chiefly on irrigation. This, even as close to 40% of the population lives BPL. Read More Adani Enterprises weighs stake sale in Wilmar | ET Now analysis There lies the economic significance of IWT, as Punjab remains the largest economy in Pakistan, contributing close to 60% in national output. Sindh, second-largest province in terms of population and GDP, factors close to 25%. Share of agriculture in GDP stood at 24% in 2024, falling from a high of 30.6% in 2000-01. But it continues to shoulder around two- third of the population, directly or indirectly. Two of Pakistan's largest exports, textiles and basmati rice, depend on irrigation dynamics even as trade deficit threatens to vault in a volatile tariff- induced environment. The road to Brussels goes through Rome, is a well-accepted preamble, cementing the belief that long-term peace comes at the cost of innumerable sacrifices. When Atal Bihari Vajpayee wrote in the visitor's book at Lahore's Minar-e-Pakistan in 1999 that a 'stable, secure and prosperous Pakistan is in India's interest. Let no one in Pakistan be in doubt. India sincerely wishes Pakistan well,' Islamabad mistook it as Indian weakness, surreptitiously preparing to capture Kargil. It's time the people of Pakistan realise that India can be a friendly neighbour. Or be made to revisit 1971. The choice is completely in their hands. As for agencies like IMF, which have frequently bailed out Pakistan, they would do well to introspect if common, scarce global resources should be put in the hands of a rogue nation on the brink of anarchy.
