Various major irrigation projects established in Tamil Nadu

Various major irrigation projects established in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu ranks first in the field of irrigation. The Cauvery delta is one of the oldest of its kind in India. The power generated in several multipurpose projects in Tamil Nadu is being supplied to neighbouring states. This clearly shows that Tamil Nadu is self sufficient in electricity. The important main multipurpose projects taken up in Tamil Nadu are:

1. The Cauvery Delta Canal System,

2. The Mettur Project,

3. The Lower Bhavani Project,

4. The Periyar Project,

5. The Pykara Project.

1. The Cauvery Delta Canal System:

The Cauvery Delta Canal System constructed in pre-Christian era is one of the oldest irrigation systems in India. The Canal system consists of several grand and upper arfaicuts (small dams) across the river Cauvery. The system of anaicuts store a large quantity of water and supply to cultivable land of almost 4 lakh hectares area in Tanjavur and Thiruchirapalli districts through canals. The length of these canals exceed 6000 km.

2. The Mettur Project:

The Mettur dam was taken up during the British administration of India. The project has a dam constructed across the Cauvery river at Mettur. The project is now transformed into a multipurpose irrigation project. The project supplies water to cultivable land regions of almost 4 lakh hectares. The project, mainly caters to the farmers of Salem and Coimbatore districts. The project also generates electricity of almost 200 MW.

3. The Lower Bhavani Project:

The Lower Bhavani Project is a major irrigation project having cultivable command areas of nearly 80, 000 hectares. The project has a dam constructed across the river Bhavani, a tributary of the Cauvery. The project caters to the irrigational needs of the farmers of Coimbatore and Thiruchirapalli.

4. The Periyar Project:

The river Periyar is a major river in southern India. The river rises in the Cardamom hills in the Western Ghats in Kerala state and flow's into the Arabian Sea. The eastern side of the hill lies on the borders of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. A dam is constructed across the river Periyar near its source. The waters of the river and waters that flow down from the eastern side of the hills form a great lake. The water from the lake is connected to the Vaigai river through tunnels. Thus, the Periyar project assures continuous water supply to the Vaigai river. The waters of the Vaigai river are then supplied for agricultural and domestic use in Madurai districts.

5. The Pykara Scheme of Irrigation:

The Pykara project is yet another important irrigation project taken up by Tamil Nadu in 1932. The project has a dam built across the river Pykara at its source in the Nilgiri Hills. The project has a powerhouse. The electricity produced at this power house is transmitted to Coimbatore, Thiruchirapalli and Madurai districts.