5. Irrigation and Flood Control

211

5.1. Irrigation and Flood Control

Water from falls and flood should be storedand utilized for agriculture. With this nobleobjective, towering Tamil king Karikalan(Chola) constructed Kallanai (dam) - Atreasure of Tamil Nadu

- Aringnar Anna

(In Dravida Nadu weekly, August 4, 1957)(World’s first dam constructed 2000 years ago still in use)

5.1.1. Introduction

Water is the elixir of life, a precious gift of nature to mankind and millions

of other species living on the earth. It is fast becoming a scarce commodity in

most parts of the world. In Tamil Nadu, water is a serious limiting factor for

agricultural growth, as the state has harnessed almost the entire available

irrigation potential. Irrigation reduces risk in farming, increases crop

productivity, provides higher employment opportunities to the rural people

and increases farmer income three to four fold. Of the two sources of irrigation

water in the state namely, surface and ground water, more than 95% of the

surface water potential has almost been fully tapped. Ground water resource

is, therefore, the only alternative source for further development. In this

situation, the state has to bestow maximum attention on efficient management

of available water resources so as to enhance its utility through application of

appropriate and cost-effective technologies.

‘River basin Planning’ for optimum utilization of water resources is

particularly important for a water starved state like Tamil Nadu, which does

not have any perennial river. Since a large percentage of consumptive use is

through irrigation, irrigation water management is to be given a high priority.

This task requires a strong institutional arrangement for effective

implementation of the policies for better water management through effective

use of the participatory approach, which is being strongly advocated by water

experts.

212

Pattern of Rainfall

Tamil Nadu with 7% of the population of the country is endowed with

4.49 M.H.M. of water resources only, i.e. 3% of the water resources in India.

The state’s water resources are dependent on monsoon rainfall. The rainfall

situation is very uncertain and hence its dependability on major sources of

irrigation. The actual rainfall registered during the five years in between 2000-

2007 has been far less than the normal rainfall. The pattern of rainfall during

the past 30 years shows that the average rainfall of the state is 945.7 mm.

with 449.7 mm. in North East (NE) monsoon and 307.3 in South West (SW)

monsoon.

Table 5.1. 1

The coefficient of variation for the annual rainfall is 17.80. It is as high as

47.5% for NE monsoon. The rainfall analysis indicates a deficient rainfall of

19.38% and 25.72% during 2001-02 and 2002-03 respectively. Near normal

rainfall has occurred during the years 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2006-07.

However, the rainfall was continuously deficient for four years from 1999 to

2003 which has caused indiscriminate tapping of ground water leading to

over-exploitation which in turn has led to depletion in ground water level.

Tamil Nadu experienced unprecedented torrential rains during the Northeast

monsoon period from October to December 2005 and 2006. This resulted in

flash floods, inundation, submergence and heavy damage to all the existing

irrigation structures and facilities in as many as twenty two districts of the

state.

213

Total Water Potential

Tamil Nadu covers 4% of the geographical area (13.01 Mha) and caters to

7% of the population of the country which is about 6.2 crore people living in

17 river basins. There are about 76 major reservoirs, 39 thousand tanks, and

3.7 million wells, which irrigate about 2.6 million hectares out of 5.5 million

hectares of crop land. More than 95% of the surface water potential and 80%

of groundwater potential have been put into use. The total water potential of

the state including ground water is 47230 MCM (1668 TMC). The total surface

water potential of the state is 24160 MCM (853 TMC) including the contribution

(7391 MCM or 261 TMC) from the neighbouring states, viz., Kerala, Karnataka

and Andhra.

Table 5.1. 2

The major problem in water is the conservation of rainfall received. Surface

run-off, evaporation, infiltration and deep percolation account for the total

volume of the rainfall received. The run-off coefficient of a basin normally

depends on the mean temperature, humidity, pattern of rainfall, intensity of

rainfall, vegetation, topographical features of the basin etc. The runoff

coefficient is found to vary between 0.40 and 0.55 in Tamil Nadu. The normal

annual surface flow works out to 6.071 million hectare metre (MHM) but the

utilizable runoff is calculated as 2.33 MHM. The non-utilizable flow is due to

lack of storage and unsuitable distribution of supply, evaporation and other

losses. The total utilizable water resources of the state i.e., both surface and

groundwater works out to about 5 MHM. With the limited supply of water, it is

necessary to improve the conservation of water and efficiency of water use in

order to meet the increasing requirements of water from agriculture and

competing uses.

214

Ground Water- Category of Blocks

As per the 2003 data, the stage of groundwater development indicates

that 175 out of 385 blocks in the state are in over exploited and critical (dark)

category. The number of blocks under these categories are steadily increasing

during the last ten years due to indiscriminate drawal of ground water in the

blocks which are mostly concentrated in Vellore, Villuppuram, Salem,

Namakkal, Dindigul, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore, Theni, Thiruvannamalai and

Thoothukudi districts.

Table 5.1. 3

Area Irrigated and Sources of Irrigation

The state’s per capita irrigation potential in per capita terms is 0.08 ha.

compared to the all-India average of 0.15 ha. The three main sources of

irrigation in the state are rivers, tanks and wells. There are 40,319 tanks,

2,395 irrigation main canals & 19,33,932 irrigation wells in the state. The

area irrigated by various sources is furnished in the table below.

Category of BlocksSl.No

X

215

Table 5.1. 4

Agriculture is the single largest consumer of water in the state consuming75% of the state’s water resources. Despite having limited water resource,Tamil Nadu has a high percentage of the net area sown that is irrigated (56%).The state has a net irrigated area of 29.19 lakh hectares (2005-06). Theirrigation intensity (ratio of gross irrigated area to net irrigated area), whichwas 129.32% during the 1950s, went up to 131.75% in 1960s and then declinedto 124.9% during the 1990s. The irrigation intensity has further come downto 116% during the Tenth Plan period.

The area irrigated by canals marginally increased from 7.92 lakh ha. in1950s to 8.23 lakh ha. in 1990s and 8.00 lakh ha during 2005-06. However,the share of canal irrigation in the net area irrigated declined from 37.5 to 30percent between 1950 and 1990s and has further fallen to around 27.41%during the Tenth Plan. Tanks are simple sources that bring sustainablebenefits to the agricultural sector. The approximate storage capacity of 40,319tanks in the state is estimated as 5,067 MCM (178.94 TMC) (21% of the annualwater potential), which is almost equal to that of the reservoirs. However, thetank irrigation system has deteriorated over time, which is shown by the declinein the area irrigated under tanks falling from 24% in the 50’s to roughly 18%in the Tenth Plan period. This might be due to failure of monsoon, reductionin the storage capacity of reservoirs due to silting, lack of adequate management

216

of tanks and the supply channels and unscientific water management practicesfollowed by farmers.

Next to tank irrigation is lift irrigation through individually owned wells.In addition to serving as a regular source of supply, ground water plays acritical role as a buffer during periods of drought when surface flows are limitedand unreliable. The number of wells, which in 1951 was only 14,400, increasedto 15.28 lakhs by 1996 and to 19.34 lakhs in 2005. The development hasbeen concentrated more in the districts of Salem, Coimbatore, Cuddalore,Villupuram, Kancheepuram and Thanjavur. The overall area irrigated bywells has also shown a consistent increase reaching an average of 54 percentduring the Tenth Plan period.

River Basins of Tamil Nadu

There are 34 river basins in Tamil Nadu including minor river basins. Forstudy purposes, they are grouped into 17 by clubbing the minor ones withthe adjacent major river basins. Cauvery is the only major river basin (drainagearea > 20,000 sq. km.). Out of the remaining basins, 13 are medium basins

and 3 minor basins (< 2000 sq. km.). The total surface water potential of river

basins is 24,160 MCM (853 TMC).

Table 5.1. 5

217

Table 5.1. 6

National Water Policy

The National Water Policy-2002 lays emphasis on integrated water

resources development and management for optimal and sustainable

utilization of the available surface and ground water. The involvement of

beneficiaries and stakeholders in project Planning and participatory approach

in water resources management has been focused in the policy.

State Water Policy

Taking into account the National Water Policy 2002, the State Water

Policy 1994 was re-drafted emphasising the need for utmost efficiency in water

utilisation and public awareness of the importance of water conservation. This

water policy applies to all the water resources in the state. According to the

draft State Water Use Policy 2002, (which is being appraised with reference to

the Water Policy of other states and yet to be approved at Government level) in

the Planning and operation of the systems, water allocation priorities should

be broad based as follows: a) Drinking Water b) Irrigation c) Hydro Power d)

218

Ecology e) Industries and other uses. The river basin will be the unit for

water Planning. The policy envisages water resources development and

management, which will have to be Planned for drainage basin or for a sub-

basin as a whole. A multi-sectoral approach will be followed taking into account

surface and ground water for sustainable use, incorporating quantity and

quality aspects as well as environmental considerations. Watershed

management through extensive soil conservation, catchment area treatment,

preservation of forest and construction of check-dams should be promoted.

Water should be made available to the water starved areas by transfer from

other areas including from one river basin to the other.

Ultimate Irrigation Potential and Utilization

Irrigation increases productivity, stability and sustainability in Agriculture.

The foremost issue is the availability of irrigation potential, its creation and

utilization. Ultimate Irrigation Potential (UIP) corresponds to the gross area

that could theoretically be irrigated in a year on the basis of the assumed

cropping pattern and the given probability of rainfall. Pushing the irrigation

potential to the ultimate level available may be unsustainable in some cases.

Tamil Nadu tops the list in terms of utilization of its created potential with

almost full utilization.

Table 5.1. 7

The worked out supply- demand gap based on the growth rates of irrigated

crops is 7476 M cum (264 TMC). The total demand of water for all sector

worked out to 54,700 million cubic metres (1932 TMC) for the year 2010

which may increase up to 57,725 M cum (2039 TMC) by the year 2050. But

the availability of water, both ground and surface water in a normal year is

only 47,230 M cum (1668 TMC). Thus there will be a gap of 10495 M cum

219

(371 TMC) in 2050. It is anticipated that only 50% of the water will be available

for irrigation. Hence there is an urgent need to balance the gap between the

water demand for agriculture and non-agricultural needs. It is necessary to

increase the water use efficiency of agricultural crops by efficient management

techniques in day-to-day use of surface and ground water.

Improvement of Irrigation/ Water Use Efficiency

The overall efficiency in surface irrigation like canals and tanks is only

40 percent (as compared to 75% in Israel) whereas in well irrigation it is 70

percent. Researchers opine that this level of overall efficiency can be increased

to 50 to 60 percent in surface irrigation and to 85 percent in well irrigation. If

the overall efficiency is increased in phases from 40% to 50% and 60%, this

would annually save about 3000 MCM for every 10% increase in efficiency.

Encroachments are serious issues affecting adversely the water resources,

particularly the irrigation tanks. Another problem is that of deferred

maintenance. The pace of tank rehabilitation has to be stepped up to meet

the growing needs.

5.1.2. Review of Tenth Plan

Major and Medium Irrigation and Flood Control

The National Commission on Agriculture assessed the ultimate irrigation

potential of Tamil Nadu through Major and Medium Irrigation sources as 15

lakh hectares in 1976. At the commencement of the First Five Year Plan,

there were 23 Major and Medium Irrigation Projects benefiting 11 lakh

hectares. In the Ninth Plan period up to 2001-2002, the area under irrigation

through Major and Medium Irrigation Projects had increased to 29.72 lakh

hectares. During the Tenth Five Year Plan (2002-2007), an additional irrigation

potential of 6939 hectares (target 9023 ha) has been created.

The state is now constrained to find additional water resources through

‘trans basin’ diversion of water from the neighbouring states, namely, Kerala,

Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh which are blessed with rich water resources.

This involves ‘inter state’ agreements and major policy interventions at the

National level.

220

Financial performance

As against the outlay of Rs.1670 crore for major and medium irrigation

and flood control, an amount of Rs.1230.34 crore was spent, which works out

to 74% of the Tenth Plan outlay. In order to rehabilitate and modernize the

storage and conveyance systems and to facilitate taking over the operation

and maintenance of the tank irrigation system by the farmers, thereby

improving the economic status of the farming community, the Water Resource

Consolidation Project (WRCP) funded by the World Bank has been

implemented during the Tenth Plan period. System improvement and Farmers

Turnover (SIFT) are the main components of the project besides completion of

the ongoing Medium and Minor Irrigation Projects.

The Tenth Plan outlay and expenditure under Major, Medium Irrigation

and Flood Control is given in Table 5.1. 8.

Table 5.1. 8

To alleviate the problem of coastal erosion at a number of locations causing

not only loss of valuable land but also endangering human life, anti-sea erosion

and flood control works have been taken up and completed at a cost of

Rs.164.81 cores. After the Tsunami in 2004, a detailed project report for

Coastal protection at a cost of Rs.696 crore was prepared. During the Tenth

Plan period, an outlay of Rs.50 crore was spent for implementation of this

project using the 12th Finance Commission grant.

‘The Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Management of Irrigation system (TAMIL

NADUFMIS) Act’, was enacted in the year 2000 to actively involve the farmers

221

of all the irrigation systems maintained and managed by the Water Resources

Organisation (WRO). A total number of 1566 Water Users Associations (WUA)

were delineated and managing committees were constituted for 1552 WUAs.

The responsibilities of Operation and Maintenance of the minor distribution

system have been handed over to all these WUAs during 2004. These

associations were also given a one time assistance of Rs.100 per ha. to facilitate

their operation.

Minor Irrigation

As against the outlay of Rs.500 crore, an amount of Rs.446.57 crore was

spent, which worked out to an achievement of 89%. The important sources of

Minor Irrigation, i.e., tanks, wells and tube wells, contribute significantly to

irrigated agriculture in Tamil Nadu. Tanks and wells extend irrigation support

to an extent of about 18 lakh ha. which accounts for 70 percent of the total

irrigated area. Fifteen Minor irrigation works and 14 Special Minor Irrigation

Works at a total cost of Rs.56.99 crore have been executed using state funds.

Under NABARD assisted projects, Minor Irrigation works and Canal

Rehabilitation works have been taken up at a total cost of Rs.729 crore during

the Tenth Five Year Plan period and the expenditure was around Rs.452

crore. The Public Works Department is maintaining 10540 System and Non-

system tanks each commanding more than 100 acres. Out of these, 1750

tanks have been desilted and modernized at a cost of Rs.105 crore. Under

centrally sponsored scheme, 46 tanks in Villupuram and Sivagangai districts

have been taken up for modernization at a cost of Rs.10.59 crore. The work is

in progress with targeted date of completion by 2007.

The Tenth Five Year Plan outlay and expenditure under Minor irrigation

is given in Table 5.1. 9.

222

Table 5.1. 9

Monitoring and assessment of ground water involves multi-disciplinarystudies. This is done through the State Ground & Surface Water ResourcesData Centre (SG& SWRDC). Realizing the importance of preventing overexploitation of ground water for sustained development, the Government ofTamil Nadu has enacted “The Tamil Nadu Ground Water (Development andManagement) Act” in the year 2003. As a prelude to the implementation ofthis Act, a Well Census has been taken up. As per the study, the total numberof wells in the state is about 37 lakhs.

Command Area Development Programme (CADP)

The Command Area Development Programme (CADP) and WaterManagement Programme are being implemented in the state with an aim toimprove the water use efficiency in canal irrigated areas.

The Agricultural Engineering Department implements the Command AreaDevelopment Programme in various command areas as a shared programmebetween the State and Government of India. At present, the programme isimplemented in Cauvery basin, Parambikulam Aliyar Basin, Tambiraparani

223

River Basin projects, Gadana, Ramanadhi Irrigation System, Nambiyar RiverBasin System, Patchaiyar River Basin system, Manimuthar Irrigation system,Aanaimaduvu system, Chinnar Reservoir System and Maruthanathi system.During the Tenth Plan, the programme was implemented covering an area of1.91 lakh ha. with a state share of Rs.97.34 crore. The programme has beencompleted during 2006-07 in Aanaimaduvu system, Chinnar Reservoir Systemand Maruthanathi system. The Tenth Five Year Plan outlay and expenditureunder CADP is given in Table 5.1. 10.

Table 5.1. 10

The Command Area Development Programme and Water ManagementProgramme is implemented basically to ensure improved irrigated agricultureas a central theme. The activities under the programme relate to efficientutilization of irrigation facilities through the following three major components:1. On-Farm Development (OFD), 2. Rotational Water Supply (RWS) and 3.Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM), Reclamation of waterlogged areas,Saline and alkaline patches are also taken up by the Agricultural EngineeringDepartment under this programme.

As against the outlay of Rs.175 crore, an amount of Rs.97.34 crore (state

share) was spent during the Tenth Five Year Plan.

5.1.3. Eleventh Five Year Plan

A) Major and Medium Irrigation

Constraints

The total demand and supply gap of water is very high. The challenge in

the current situation is how best this gap can be bridged, either by reducing

the demand or by efficient water management.

224

Objectives

The major objective of the irrigation sector is to maximize the productivity

per unit of water so as to increase the income of the farmers and promote

equity and social justice among the users of water. This will be achieved

through preservation and stabilization of the existing water resources with

emphasis on improvement in the performance. It is also aimed to maximise

agricultural production by way of increasing the area under irrigation and by

improving the water use efficiency through micro irrigation and other water

saving methods. Participatory Irrigation Management will be promoted to

make water use more equitable as well as to provide flood protection and

drainage.

Strategy and Thrust areas for the Eleventh Five Year Plan

To achieve the above objectives, the following strategies are proposed for

the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

Surface Irrigation

i) To augment the surface water potential by way of inter-basin transfer.

It is proposed to assign priority and effectively pursue the interlinking

of the Peninsular rivers. Interlinking of rivers within the state will

also be taken up simultaneously after due investigation.

ii) To ensure reliable, equitable supply of water to all water users. Water

allocation priorities shall be drinking water, irrigation, hydropower,

ecology, industries and navigation.

iii) To have a Multi-Disciplinary approach to work in an integrated

manner in modernizing irrigated agriculture.

iv) To create WUA’s in all command areas and to hand over the

distribution and maintenance of channels, branch and distributaries,

in order to reduce the maintenance cost and to ensure equal

distribution of water.

v) To take up on priority the drainage works in the major rivers, canals

and tanks.

225

vi) To give priority for restoration and maintenance of the existing water

bodies besides restoring the flood affected water courses and water

bodies permanently.

vii) To utilize surface waters flowing into the sea wherever possible, by

putting up small structures to divert the water to needy areas.

Ground water, Rainwater harvesting

i) To implement the Ground water (Development & Management) Act,

2003.

ii) To assess the ground water potential on mini watershed basis for

planning the ground water development

iii) To carry out water conservation measures such as Artificial Recharge

and Rain Water Harvesting wherever found feasible

Others

i) To encourage stakeholders’ involvement in Planning, development,

utilization and management of water resources and development of

four tier level farmers organization for efficient irrigation

management.

ii) To conduct performance evaluation of all irrigation systems which

could help to identify the deficiencies and carry out the improvements

in the canals and other control and measuring structures.

iii) To intensify the public awareness and training activities on water

management in order to increase the efficiency of water use.

Eleventh Five Year Plan Programmes

A) Major, Medium Irrigation and Flood Control

Ongoing Schemes

1) Construction of Bed Dam and Dividing wall across Palar near

Kavasampattu Village and re-grading the existing Goddar river in Vellore

District

An amount of Rs.3.50 crore has been provided during the Eleventh Five

Year Plan period for the Construction of Bed Dam and Dividing wall across

226

Palar near Kavasampattu Village and the existing Goddar river in Vellore district

under loan assistance from NABARD under RIDF Scheme.

2) Improvement of Veeranam Lake for water supply

The project is envisaged for the supply of 190 Mld. of water to Chennai

city. Due to escalation in the cost of construction materials and labour, the

revised cost is estimated to be around Rs.150 crore. By improvements to the

conveyance system, 56,034 acres of ayacut area is expected to receive

uninterrupted irrigation facility. Major portion of the works are completed.

An amount of Rs.29.70 crore is provided during the Eleventh Five Year Plan

period.

3) Malattar Anicut Scheme in Sengapadi Village in Ramnad District

This is a project which proposes an anicut across the Malattar river below

the existing Kamudhi regulator and just below the confluence point of

Gridhamal and Paralayar rivers with the Malattar. This scheme will benefit

stabilisation of an extent of 1539 hectares besides bridging a gap of 358

hectares under the existing 54 tanks in Kamudhi and Kadaladi taluks. To

complete the above work, an amount of Rs.11.61 crore have been provided

during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

4) Vaigai Reservoir - Irrigation facilities to 58 villages in Usilampatti

Taluk in Madurai District

Under this scheme, excavation of a high level canal of 27.26 Kilo metre

from the proposed head works on the right flank of the Vaigai Dam from the

spillway established in 1996 to provide irrigation facilities to 58 villages in

Usilampatti Taluk by utilizing the surplus flood water from Vaigai Reservoir

will be taken up. It includes formation of 3 new tanks to get supply from the

above high-level canal. By implementing this scheme, 570 hectares of wet

lands will be stabilized besides bridging a gap of 128 hectares of wet lands

under 29 existing tanks and 3 existing ponds in Usilampatti taluk. Further

new dry ayacut of 227 hectares will be brought under irrigation through three

new tanks. To complete the above work, an amount of Rs.28.70 crore have

been proposed for the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

227

5) Formation of a reservoir across Malattar River near Bathalapalli

village in Gudiyatham Taluk, Vellore District

The cost of this project was Rs.29.55 crore. An extent of 1,064 hectares

of ayacut will be stabilized besides bridging the gap of 61 hectares in

Gudiyatham Taluk. Drinking water facilities will also be provided to Peranampet

town and the wayside villages besides water for industrial purposes. This

scheme will improve the water quality of the wells in the area now affected by

pollution from tanneries. An amount of Rs.27.43 crore has been proposed for

this scheme during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

6) Excavation of new supply channel from Badathalav tank to

Vennampalli in Dharmapuri District.

Under this scheme, the surplus water from Badathalav Tank is proposed

to be conveyed through supply channels to Vennampalli and 10 other tanks

upto Kashimpur tank to irrigate direct ayacut of 542 hectare and indirect

ayacut of 607 hectare. The work is executed with NABARD loan assistance.

About 80% of the work has been completed. Further work is in progress and

will be completed during the Eleventh Five Year Plan period. An amount of

Rs.6.02 crore is proposed for this purpose.

7) Construction of New tanks, Canals and Renovation of Existing

Irrigation system with loan assistance from NABARD under RIDF X

schemes

During 2005-06, the Government have sanctioned a sum of Rs.61 crore

for implementation of more than 25 schemes viz., Extension of right main

canal of Krishnagiri Reservoir for supplying of water Bommasamudram,

Kariyamangalan and Thindal Tank in Palacode Taluk of Krishnagiri District

(Rs.7.06 crore), Construction of anicut across Markandanadhi in Cigarapalli

Village of Krishnagiri Taluk (Rs.2.33 crore), Construction of an anicut across

Nalliuppodai to feed Nambipuram tank in Ettayapuram Taluk of Thoothukudi

District (Rs.1.14 crore), Rehabilitation of Dhali Channel system and

Valayapalayam system in Udumalpet Taluk of Coimbatore District (Rs.4.41

crore), Modernisation and upgrading the standards of Bargur supply channel

(Rs.5.15 crore), Modernisation and upgrading the standards of supply channel

of Penukondapuram Tank (Rs.4.26 crore), Rehabilitation of Cauvery, Vennar

228

Regulators (Rs.17.38 crore), Formation of New Tank across Viswakudi Kallar

Odai in Thondamanathurai village of Perambalur District (Rs.7.23 crore). Most

of the above works are in progress.

Overall, an amount of Rs.37.65 crore is proposed for implementation of

these ongoing schemes sanctioned using NABARD funds during the Eleventh

Five Year Plan.

8) Renovation of existing Irrigation channels, tanks and strengthening

of Dams with loan assistance from NABARD under RIDF - XI Schemes.

The Government have sanctioned an amount of Rs.53.29 crore with loan

assistance from NABARD under RIDF XI-Batch-1 for Renovation of lower

Bhavani Dam, Sholayar Dam, Ayyangudi Channel, Sirumarudhur Channel,

Kalakkamangalam Channel, Manimuthar Main Canal and Kanadian Channel.

Similarly, during 2006-07 the Government have sanctioned 17 projects

at a cost of Rs.71.39 crore for ongoing and new works viz., Rehabilitation of

Sholayar Dam and Bhavani Dam (Rs.13.76 core), formation of a new tank

across odai near Seelanalyakkanpatti (Rs.1.69 crore), Modernisation of

Sirumaruthur main channel (Rs.1.33 crore), construction of an anicut across

the surplus course of Kannankottai Issa Rajaneri tank (Rs.1.00 crore). The

works on the above schemes are in the initial stage.

The Government have also sanctioned an amount of Rs. 18.98 crore for

11 minor irrigation works under RIDF XI Batch-3.

An amount of Rs.41.02 crore is provided for the ongoing works under

these schemes during the Eleventh Plan period.

9) Implementation of Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP)

The Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme (AIBP) was launched during

1996-97 to give loan assistance to the states to help them complete some of

the incomplete major/medium irrigation projects, which were in an advanced

stage of completion. The criteria for AIBP have been further relaxed from April

2005 to include minor irrigation schemes of non-special category states with

potential more than 100 ha. with preference to Tribal Areas and drought-

prone areas which wholly benefit Scheduled Castes and Tribals. Extension,

229

renovation and modernisation schemes have also been included on a selective

basis. Drought-prone, flood-prone and tribal areas are eligible for 90% central

funding. Proposals will be formulated for this scheme and sent to Government

of India. An amount of Rs.50.00 crore is proposed for Eleventh Five Year Plan

period for the state contribution for this scheme.

10) Formation of 18th Canal across Vairavanar River

The formation of 18th Canal across Vairavanar river by which

Uthamapalayam Taluk will benefit to an extent of 511.16 hectares through

stabilisation besides bridging a gap of 73.90 hectares and a new area of 22.81

hectares has been taken up during the Tenth Plan. About 71% of the work

has been completed and the remaining work will be completed during Eleventh

Plan period for which an amount of Rs.13.60 crore is proposed.

11) Formation of Reservoir across Mambazhathuraiyar

It was proposed to stabilise 3.57 hectares to bridge a gap of 25.82 hectares

in single crop and 18.14 hectares in second crop and to provide irrigation

facilities to an extent of 308.98 hectares in Kalkulam Taluk by formation of a

reservoir under the Mambazhathuraiyar. An amount of Rs.14.18 crore is

proposed for this scheme during the Plan period.

12) Desilting, Widening and Strengthening works under Emergency

Tsunami Reconstruction Project (ETRP) with assistance from World Bank

- PWD (WRO)

Works taken up under the Emergency Tsunami Reconstruction Project

with World Bank assistance include desilting, widening and strengthening of

the banks of Vedaranyam Canal, South Buckingham Canal, Nathikanni

Manniar drain, Vellapallam Uppanar drain, Vellaiyur straight cut, Kaduvayur

drain and North Buckingham canal. An amount of Rs.14.30 crore is proposed

to complete the works which have been commenced at the beginning of the

Eleventh Plan period.

13) Chennai Flood Relief with HUDCO Assistance Works -Chennai City

Water Ways

The ten water ways to Chennai city, having a total length of 87.80 km.

are polluted by discharges of untreated sewerage and disposal of solid waste,

230

thereby causing environment and health hazard to the public. The formation

of sand bars in the river mouths, silting of water ways and encroachments

severely reduce the carrying capacity of the waterways leading to inundation

of low lying areas during heavy rains.

An amount of Rs. 200 crore is proposed during the Eleventh Five Year

Plan for improvements to the Buckingham canal, Cooum River, Adayar River

channel, flood defenses and resectioning of other major drains in Chennai

Metropolitan area, improvements to Virugambakkam drain, Otteri Nullah and

drainage relief to Velachery area.

14) Expenditure met from Grants-in-Aid recommended by the 12th

Finance Commission towards implementation of Anti Sea Erosion and

Coastal Protection Work

The Twelfth Finance Commission has allotted Grants-in-Aid of Rs.38.30

crore for coastal protection works. The High Level Committee has selected

and prioritized 30 locations for Anti-Sea Erosion Works based on the report

given by the Indian Institute of Technology, Chennai.

New Schemes

1. Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration

and Management (IAMWARM) Project

In a predominantly agricultural state like Tamil Nadu, there is a need for

intensifying all efforts to improve agricultural productivity, quality and income.

Long-term growth in agriculture depends mostly on increasing the efficiency

in use of water. An urgent need in this area is strengthening and integrating

institutional structures, which can help small and marginal farmers to a great

extent. The Expert Committee on “Development and Management of Water

Resources” constituted by the Government of Tamil Nadu during July 2000

has observed that bringing additional area into cultivation is remote but the

challenge is, how best to bridge the gap in cultivation by reducing demand

and by effective water management and adoption of modern agricultural

techniques (Micro Irrigation etc). The committee also recommended an

Integrated Water Resources Management Approach involving Line

Departments for development and management of water resources in Tamil

Nadu as the desired option. It is in this background that the Irrigated

Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration and Management

231

(IAMWARM) Project at an estimated cost of Rs.2547 crore was approved by the

World Bank for the development of 63 sub-basins. An amount of Rs.1050

crore is proposed as outlay for this project during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

IAMWARM- Project Objective

The IAMWARM project aims to improve the service delivery and productivity

of irrigated agriculture with effective integrated water resources management

in a sub-basin framework in Tamil Nadu.

Components

The specific components of the project include:

a) Irrigation Systems Modernisation in a Sub-basin Framework

This component seeks to improve the bulk water delivery through

modernisation of irrigation systems and service delivery and management of

schemes in about 63 selected project sub-basins over an area of 6.17 lakh

hectares. Activities will be carried out with a base cost of Rs.1273 crore under

two sub-components; first involving tank system modernisation by restoring

and repairing water bodies and the second, improving canal irrigation system

through repairs, lining and rehabilitation of control structures.

b) Agricultural Intensification and Diversification

This component seeks to build upon the improved bulk water delivery of

the above component to increase the productivity of agriculture-related activities

through improved agricultural intensification, diversification, micro irrigation,

animal husbandry & fisheries in the 63 selected sub-basins. Agriculture and

allied Departments will implement this component with a base cost of Rs.748

crore.

c) Institutional Modernisation for Irrigated Agriculture

This component seeks to improve the institutional capacity for modern,

efficient and accountable irrigation service delivery. The scope of this activity

is statewide. These activities will be implemented through the WRO and the

Water User Associations (WUAs). The activities are proposed with a base cost

of Rs.237 crore and expected to substantially scale-up the institutional capacity

232

of the WRO to design, monitor, maintain and modernize their assets in an

environmentally and socially sustainable manner using appropriate state-of-

art techniques and to more effectively interact with much stronger WUAs. The

WUAs would be utilized to implement Participatory Irrigation Management by

involving the agriculturists of the area.

d) Water Resources Management

The objective of this component is to improve the institutional

arrangements and capacity for sustainable water resources management in

the state. This will include the creation of a State Water Resources Management

Agency (SWaRMA), amalgamating the existing Institute for Water Studies and

the State Ground and Surface Water Resources Data Centre and formation of

Basin Boards. These activities are to be implemented with the base cost of

Rs.22.50 crore by the SWaRMA (and its predecessor institutions till this is

formed), the WRO and Basin Boards. These investments should make Tamil

Nadu one of the best examples of operationalising modern sustainable Water

Resources Planning and Management concept in a basin framework among

the Indian states.

e) Project Management Support (Base cost - Rs.37.50 crore)

This component will support the management and co-ordination efforts

related to this project. This component will be implemented by the Multi-

Disciplinary Project Unit (MDPU). It is expected that the project activities would

help the MDPU to improve its institutional coordination the function, remain

on top of the status of project activities and undertake corrective measures as

required.

f) Project Implementation

The Project will be implemented over a period of six years. The main

implementing agencies will be the Water Resources Organisation (WRO),

Agricultural Engineering, Agriculture, Horticulture, Tamil Nadu Agricultural

University, Agricultural Marketing, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries

Departments with management support and coordination provided by the

Multi-Disciplinary Project Unit (MDPU). It is proposed to commence the

implementation of the project from financial year 2007-2008 onwards. The

total project outlay including physical and a price contingency is assessed as

233

Rs. 2547 crore, of which the outlay for the irrigation sector is Rs.1050 crore

for the Eleventh Plan.

2. Flood protection works in Cauvery & Coleron river from Upper Anicut

to sea, Sellur tanks etc. in Madurai city and diverting floods from Ariyar

and Korayar in Tiruchi town

It was proposed to divert flood water of Koraiyaru, Kudamurutti river,

Ariyar river and Uyyakondan Channels through Canals and Tanks and reroute

the surplus water to Agniyar river to benefit dry areas of Pudukottai districts.

As a first phase, to relieve the flood inundation in Trichy town, a scheme for

improvements to Koraiyar Anicut, Kudamurutti and Uyyakondan channels

has been proposed and are under consideration by NABARD for sanction. In

phase II, diversion of flood flows will be taken up. Detailed investigation is

under progress in that direction. An amount of Rs.211.36 crore is proposed

for above flood protection works.

3. Flood protection works in Chennai Metropolitan Area

Flood protection works are required to prevent inundation of houses in

low lying areas in Chennai city during the rainy season and to ensure free

flow of storm water to the sea through Cooum, Adayar, Kosasthalaiyar, Otteri

Nallah, Virugambakkam and Arumbakkam Canals and Pallikaranai swamp.

Proposals have been formulated for taking up these works under Jawaharlal

Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and National Cyclone Risk

Mitigation Project (NCRMP) at a cost of Rs.230 crore.

4. One time functional grant to Water Users Associations (WUA’s)

The Participatory Irrigation Management (PIM) conceptually aims to ensure

farmers participation in the operation and maintenance of the distribution

system of irrigation. The Government of Tamil Nadu have enacted TAMIL

NADUFMIS Act 2000 for the purpose and this has been brought into force in

20 districts covering 6 lakh hectares of command area. To establish a WUA, an

amount of Rs.600 per ha is provided to WUA. Similarly, it is decided to provide

a one time functional management grant of Rs.600 per ha. to non-Command

Area Development Water Management Water Users Associations. Towards

this grant an amount of Rs.54 crore is proposed.

234

5. Cauvery, Vennar and Grant Anicut (GAC) System rehabilitation and

strengthening control

The age old Cauvery Delta system has been deteriorating for want of

adequate funds for rehabilitation and modernization proposals. In order to

ensure that the irrigation efficiency of the Cauvery Delta is achieved, a scheme

for effective control and distribution is proposed to be taken up in the Eleventh

Plan at a cost of Rs.40.00 crore.

6. For New Schemes under Major & Medium Irrigation programme

20 new Major and Medium Irrigation Schemes including schemes for

permanent restoration of flood protection works in Cauvery and Kollidam from

Upper Anicut to sea and Madurai town (Sellur tank, Sathiyar Odai from

Thirupalai tank to Vandhiyur tank in Madurai District) are proposed to be

taken up during this Plan Period at an estimated cost of Rs.100.00 crore with

assistance from NABARD.

7. Feasibility study for interlinking Cauvery with Vaigai, Gundar to divert

flood from Cauvery

An amount of Rs.5.00 crore is proposed for undertaking the feasibility

study for interlinking River Cauvery with the Vaigai and Gundar to divert

flood flows from the Cauvery and use the surplus water productively.

8. New proposal for Coastal Protection Works

The proposal for coastal protection works costing Rs.646 crore has been

sent to Government of India for funding. Subject to the clearance, a sum of

Rs.1.00 crore is proposed for the Eleventh Plan as state share for undertaking

the base work.

The scheme wise outlays for ongoing and new scheme under Major,

Medium irrigation and Flood Control is given in Table 5.1. 11.

235

Table 5.1. 11

236

237

B) Minor Irrigation

Ongoing schemes

1. Groundwater Survey in Tamil Nadu

Ground water has become a valuable resource for meeting the drinking

water requirements and for agricultural development. Tamil Nadu having almost

fully utilized the surface water resources has now turned to the other alternative

source viz., ground water for further requirement. Though ground water is a

renewable natural resource, its occurrence and movement is controlled by

the hydro metrological and hydro geological environs which are not uniform

in the state of Tamil Nadu. As a result, variation in the quantitative and

qualitative distribution of this valuable resource has occurred. Continuous

monitoring is required to ensure that the resource does not get irreparably

depleted. An amount of Rs.12.70 crore is proposed for a ground water survey

to assess the status and identify critical hot spots.

2) Special Minor Irrigation Project with loan assistance from National

Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under Rural

Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

This scheme contemplates formation of new tanks, construction of

anicuts, excavation of link channels, restoration of abandoned tanks, formation

of ponds and standardization of tanks etc. leading to assured irrigation and

creating additional irrigation potential. Desilting-cum-reclamation schemes

contemplate desilting of tanks to restore the lost capacity due to siltation with

reclamation of foreshore lands. An amount of Rs.324.82 crore is proposed for

this programme.

3. Implementation of the World Bank Aided Hydrology Project II

Hydrology project I has established a hydrological information system

with facilities to collect, store and disseminate Hydrological, Hydro

meteorological and Hydro geological data. To transform the available data

into technical information for the use of policy makers and Planners, the

Hydrology project II has been taken up.

The Government of Tamil Nadu have given its concurrence for the project,

which consists of the following salient features:

� Consolidation of Hydrology project phase-1 activities.

238

� Creation of awareness about water resources, dissemination of datato users and sharing of knowledge in water resource among thewater users.

� Development of Hydrological Design aids for surface water andGroundwater development projects.

� Development of Decision support systems for integrated Planningand management of water resources in the river basins of TamilNadu. Three different applications will be taken up viz., floodmanagement in Tambiraparani basin, drought monitoring,assessment and management in Vaippar basin and conjunctive useof surface and ground water in Agniar basin.

� Purpose driven studies like pollution of water sources, artificialrecharge of ground water etc. in a basin as required by the state

during the course of the project.

The Project agreement has been signed and the project is proposed to be

implemented within six years from April 2006.

The project will be of immense use for the long-term water planning of

the state. An amount of Rs. 25.27 crore is proposed for implementation of the

above scheme.

4. Special Minor Irrigation Programme

An amount of Rs.27.00 crore is proposed for the Special Minor Irrigation

programme during the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

New Schemes

1. Special Minor Irrigation Project with Loan assistance from National

Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) under Rural

Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF)

Under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund, the Government have

sanctioned 38 minor irrigation modernization schemes. The works sanctioned

under the scheme are in progress. An amount of Rs.1.00 crore is proposed for

the above schemes.

Further, modernization of 407 tanks is being taken up with an outlay of

Rs.50 crore using loan assistance of NABARD. Under ‘Integrated water

239

resource management project’, 97 tanks are being modernized with an outlay

of Rs.3.50 crore using NABARD funds.

2. Restoration and Deepening Programme for Traditional Irrigation

Tanks under the control of Public Works Department (PWD)

For restoration and deepening programme for traditional irrigation tanks

under the control of PWD, 250 tanks have been taken up for execution and

the works are under progress. An amount of Rs.20.01 crore is proposed for

the above scheme.

3. Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water Bodies Restoration

and Management (IAMWARM)

An amount of Rs.250 crore is proposed for improving the service delivery

of minor irrigation works under World Bank assisted IAMWARM project. The

details about this scheme are given in the earlier portion of the chapter.

4. Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project

The rehabilitation and improvement of 22 dams including institutional

strengthening has been proposed under Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement

Project at a cost of Rs.10.00 crore.

5. Construction of Check Dam in Tribal Areas under Tribal Area Sub-

Plan (TSP)

For construction of check dam in Tribal area (Kollimalai Hills), Trichy

District, an amount of Rs.0.70 crore is proposed.

The scheme wise outlay for Eleventh Five Year Plan for the Minor irrigation

sector is given in Table 5.1.12.

240

Table 5.1. 12

Command Area Development and Water Management Programme

The Command Area Development and Water Management Programme in

the six ongoing projects will be continued during the Eleventh Five Year Plan

also with an outlay of Rs.48.00 crore to cover an area of 40,100 hectare with

on farm development works.

In addition to the above ongoing project, it is proposed to include 20 new

project areas in the programme which includes the following: Vallar River

Basin Project (Rs.9.63 crore), Kodaganar Reservoir projects (Rs.4.58 crore),

Varadhamanadhi Reservoir Project (Rs.2.29 crore), Parappalar Reservoir Project

(Rs.1.01 crore), Vaigai Link canal project (Rs.1.83 crore), Ramanathapuram

Big Tank project (Rs. 2.30 crore), Rajasingamangalam Tank (Rs.5.72 crore),

Vembakkottai Reservoir Project (Rs.3.56 crore), Golwarpatti Reservoir Project

(Rs.2.00 crore), Pilavakkal Reservoir Project (Rs.3.66 crore), Gundar, Chittar

& Karuppanadhi Project (Rs.18.03 crore), Neyyar-Kanniyakumari Branch canal

Project (Rs.2.68 crore), Willington Reservoir Project (Rs.11.78 crore),

241

Gomukhinadhi Reservoir Project (Rs.2.01 crore), Tirukoilur Anicut Project

(Rs.10.51 crore), Manimuktha Reservoir Project (Rs.1.89 crore), Vaniyar

Reservoir System (Rs.4.59 crore), Ichambadi Anicut Project (Rs.2.69 crore),

Kodiveri Anicut Project (Rs.10.60 crore) and Vattamalaikkarai odai Anicut

Project (Rs.2.67 crore). Totally it is proposed to cover an area of 93,316 ha

under new projects with an outlay of Rs.100.00 crore.

The outlay for ongoing and new schemes of Command Area Development

is given in Table 5.1.13.

Table 5.1.13

Monitorable Target for CADP

i. Under the ongoing programme, it is proposed to cover 40,100 ha.

with on farm development of CADP & WM.

ii. Under new schemes, it is proposed to cover 93,316 ha. under CADP

& WM.