Long overdue Noyyal river rejuvenation project takes off

Coimbatore

The Rs 230-crore project covering a stretch of 158.35 km in Coimbatore, Tirupur, Erode and Karur districts has been inaugurated by Municipal Administration Minister SP Velumani with a ‘bhoomi puja.’ Last week, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami laid the foundation for the project through a video conference.

As part of the project, works on 18 check dams, 22 ponds, and damaged portions of dams, sluice gates of supply canals, strengthening of banks of ponds, desilting and constructing check dams will be taken up. Of the total 158.35 kms, the project covers 72 kms at a cost of Rs 174 crore in Coimbatore district.

“Farming activity will revive in these districts once the Noyyal Rejuvenation Project is undertaken as the underground water table will then improve significantly. Already the tanks, which receive water from Noyyal are being spruced up under the Smart City Project,” the Minister said.

On the issue of mixing up of sewage in the river, Velumani said that the district administration and civic body authorities have been directed to take measures to stop flow of sewage into Noyyal.

“A committee comprising members of Public Works Department, revenue, farmers’ association and members of NGO’s will be formed to monitor the rejuvenation of Noyyal river. Restoring the water body will make us self-sufficient in meeting out our water requirements,” Velumani said.

Minister Velumani also inaugurated a bio-mining plant project at Vellalore dumping yard at a cost of Rs 61.11 crore.