Latest news with #WaterResourcesDepartment
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Artificial rain may fill Jaipur's Ramgarh dam after two decades, American firm to use drones and AI
JAIPUR: After waiting for more than two decades for surface water, Jaipur's Ramgarh Dam may soon witness a rare and high-tech spectacle -- artificial rain through cloud seeding. The experiment is expected to take place in August, with preparations already underway. The Agriculture Department has partnered with an American company to carry out this ambitious plan. Senior scientists from the U.S.-based firm have arrived in Jaipur and are finalising the groundwork. Notably, this may be the first time in India that artificial rain will be created using drones and AI technology. According to sources, specially designed drones -- ordered from Taiwan -- will fly thousands of feet above the ground and release sodium chloride into moisture-laden clouds, triggering rainfall. Previously, cloud seeding in India has been carried out using aircraft. A high-level meeting was recently held under the Jaipur District Administration, where officials from the Water Resources Department, Meteorological Department, and Pollution Control Board met with representatives of the American firm. However, the project is still awaiting approval from the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in New Delhi. Once clearance is granted, final preparations will be taken up in full swing. Agriculture Minister Kirori Lal Meena held discussions with the American company in June to push forward this experimental initiative.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Enhance water supply to Vellakovil branch canal, demand PAP tail-end farmers
TIRUPPUR: Farmers at the tail-end region of the irrigation network of the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project (PAP) have threatened to hold a protest if the Water Resources Department (WRD) doesn't release 149 cusecs of water to the Vellakovil branch canal instead of the current 131 cusecs on an interim basis. They announced they will show black flags to the chief minister during his scheduled visit to Tiruppur on Tuesday if appropriate steps are not taken. The farmers cited drought-like conditions prevailing in the tail-end areas despite receiving PAP water. Under the PAP, 4.25 lakh acres of agricultural land in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts are getting irrigation facilities. This includes about 3.77 lakh acres of agricultural lands irrigated by water from the Thirumoorthy Dam. Of this 12,000 acres of farmlands in Kangeyam and Vellakovil areas of Tiruppur, which are the tail-end parts of the PAP system, are irrigated by the Vellakovil branch canal. Currently, 131 cusecs of water is being provided to this branch canal from the main canal. But the farmers in tail-end areas claim that this water is not enough. They have requested 149 cusecs of water instead of 131 cusecs during the water release to the fourth zone of the PAP system.
Time of India
3 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Mosque & temple remain after Adyar river bank eviction in Anakaputhur
Chennai: The Water Resources Department is fencing sections of the Adyar River bund, two months after evicting over 900 families as part of a river restoration project. While most encroachments between Anakaputhur and Tiruneermalai were cleared, a mosque and a Hindu temple were left untouched. A lamp is lit at the temple, built under a temporary shed, every day by a few devotees. A dozen policemen from the Tambaram city police guard the mosque, which also houses a madrasa, around the clock. Tambaram Corporation has installed CCTV cameras to monitor people's movement to prevent 'untoward incidents'. The madrasa is vacant, and the buildings adjacent to the mosque have also been left half-razed, Tambaram Corporation officials said. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai During the eviction drive, the jamaat sought time until Bakrid (June 7), which the WRD and Tambaram Corporation accepted. More than a month after that, there is no sign of them vacating the premises. Tambaram police have now urged the corporation to end the stalemate so that their personnel can be better utilised. "We are in talks with the jamaat of the mosque to persuade them to clear the space themselves. The jamaat has not agreed to clear the space. We will arrive at a solution," said a top official in Tambaram Corporation. WRD officials said that the retrieved portions are fenced to thwart re-encroachments. "The width of the river near the Pallavaram-Kundrathur road is very narrow, which obstructs the water flow during monsoon and causes floods in the neighbourhood when Chembarambakkam Lake is opened. Widening the river will prevent flooding, while river-front development will also be taken up on the land as part of the Adyar River restoration project to be carried out by Chennai Rivers Transformation Company Ltd (CRTCL)," said WRD officials.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
CM Stalin to visit Coimbatore and Tiruppur on July 22-23
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin is scheduled to arrive in Coimbatore on July 22 from Chennai to participate in a series of official events. Upon arrival at the Coimbatore airport, DMK executives and volunteers will accord him a warm reception. From there, the Chief Minister will travel by road to Tiruppur district, where he will attend various events in Palladam and Udumalpet. On July 23, CM Stalin will visit Pollachi, where he will unveil the statues of key leaders Kamaraj, Subramaniam, and Mahalingam, who played significant roles in the completion of the Parambikulam and Aliyar irrigation projects. The unveiling will take place near the office of the Superintending Engineer, Water Resources Department, located along the Pollachi-Udumalpet road. Ministers, District Collector Pawan Kumar, and other senior officials will be present during the event. As part of his two-day visit to Tiruppur district on July 22 and 23, CM Stalin will inaugurate several government projects. On July 22, he will inaugurate the newly constructed Kovilvazhi bus stand built by the Tiruppur Corporation for public use. He will also inaugurate a new government hospital and a bus stand at Velampalayam. In Udumalpet, he will unveil statues of Periyar, Perarignar Anna, and Dr. B.R. Ambedkar near the bus stand. Later the same day, the Chief Minister will return to Coimbatore to participate in a high-level consultation meeting at a private hotel with government officials, industrialists, elected representatives, and the public to discuss the recently released Coimbatore Master Plan – 2041. CM Stalin will also take part in a major government event at Netaji Grounds in Udumalpet, where he will distribute welfare assistance to beneficiaries on behalf of various government departments. The meeting is part of the government's efforts to seek public opinion on the future development roadmap of Coimbatore city. In view of the Chief Minister's visit, elaborate security arrangements have been made in both urban and rural areas of Coimbatore district. DMK functionaries, volunteers, and party members from various wings are preparing to welcome the Chief Minister at different locations.
The Hindu
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Bharath wants ‘new look' Kurnool city
Industries and Commerce Minister T.G. Bharath told the officials that he wanted to give Kurnool city a new look. Mr. Bharath held a review meeting with the municipal officials on Wednesday, where he suggested that Kurnool city be developed along the lines of Visakhapatnam. 'We have completed more than one year of governance. We need to finish the development works in the remaining time and there should not be any delay. All the works for which foundation stones have been laid should be completed within the stipulated time,' he told the officials. The Minister said that quality should be maintained in the works taken up and asked officials to take action against contractors who delayed the execution of works. He also asked them to complete the ongoing roadworks on the banks of Handri-Neeva from Yellamma temple at Raj Vihar to Jammi Chett and to take suggestions from the Water Resources Department for the strengthening of the bund. The officials were also told to prepare an action plan for collecting the long due property tax and trade licence arrears. Mr. Bharath asked them to focus on developing parks and complete the repair works by August end. 'Steps should be taken to repair the potholes without any delay. By the end of December this year, 30,000 saplings should be planted and officials should ensure their protection. The Secretariats functioning from community halls should be shifted to alternate places,' he instructed. He then asked the officials not to delay the road extension works and to pay compensation to those who lose their land due to the extension. Meanwhile, Mr. Bharath urged the people of Kurnool city to use the Puramithra App to notify officials of their complaints related to civic issues. He wanted them to send photographs through the app so that the officials could respond. 'Download the app brought by the Municipal Administration Department and upload the photos of any civic grievance on it. The officials will visit the place within 24 hours and will try to rectify the problem,' he said, and added that people need not visit government offices to get their problems resolved. Complaints related to bad roads, sanitation, water supply, street lights and others can be uploaded.
