Rejuvenating a Legacy: Tiruchi's Ancient Canals Get a ","40 Crore Lifeline

The ancient waterways of Tiruchirapalli, the Uyyakondan and its vital offshoot, the Uyyakondan Extension Canal, are set for a monumental transformation. A massive rehabilitation project, spearheaded by the Water Resources Department (WRD), is now underway, injecting over ","40 crore into these historic irrigation arteries.

This ambitious endeavor promises to breathe new life into a system crucial for thousands of farmers across Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts.

The Uyyakondan Canal, a testament to the engineering prowess of the Chola era, attributed to Raja Raja Chola, will receive a substantial allocation of ","30 crore.

This comprehensive facelift aims to reverse years of neglect, desilting the canal, strengthening its bunds, and meticulously repairing its numerous sluices, weirs, and regulators. Invasive plant species, notorious for impeding water flow, will be meticulously cleared, and critical encroachments that have narrowed its path will be removed.

The entire 71-kilometre stretch, from its head sluice near Pettavaithalai to its tail-end in Vazhavandankottai, will undergo this intensive revitalization.

Parallel to this, the Uyyakondan Extension Canal, spanning approximately 23 kilometres and irrigating a crucial 4,000 acres within Tiruchi district, is also undergoing significant rehabilitation at a cost of ","9.80 crore.

Works here include thorough desilting, strengthening of bunds, and the repair of regulators and bridges, ensuring the efficient delivery of water to its designated areas.

Both projects are being funded under the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF XXIX), highlighting their strategic importance in bolstering rural infrastructure and agricultural productivity.

The WRD officials emphasize that the primary objective is not just to restore but to optimize water flow, ensuring that even the farthest agricultural lands receive adequate irrigation. This improved water distribution is expected to significantly boost crop yields and overall agricultural prosperity in the region.

Beyond direct irrigation benefits, the rehabilitation holds immense environmental significance.

A healthier, free-flowing canal system will play a crucial role in recharging groundwater tables, a critical need in many areas. For the Uyyakondan Canal alone, the project is designed to benefit an impressive 32,000 acres across Tiruchi and Thanjavur districts, while the Extension Canal will serve an additional 4,000 acres.

For years, these canals have suffered from heavy silt accumulation, rampant growth of weeds like water hyacinth, and structural deterioration, leading to reduced carrying capacity and inefficient water delivery.

Farmers often faced challenges in receiving sufficient water, especially at the tail-end areas. This new project is a beacon of hope, promising to overcome these longstanding issues and restore the canals to their former glory and efficiency.

With work on the Uyyakondan Canal having either commenced or slated to begin shortly, and the Extension Canal project already making steady progress, the region anticipates a new era of water security and agricultural vibrancy.

The rehabilitation is not just about concrete and canals; it's about safeguarding a historical legacy and ensuring a prosperous future for the farming communities dependent on these vital lifelines.