KOCHI: The works to build bridge cum regulators across Periyar at Pathalam and Purappallikkavu is set to take off in full swing. The projects have been delayed after it encountered a series of interruptions. The Pathalam project has already got administrative and technical sanctions, said Hari Narayanan, executive engineer at Major Irrigation Department.“The Pathalam project would cost around `59 crore. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) has sanctioned `50 crore for the project. Besides, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) had promised an amount of Rs 20 crore. This is the amount they owe to the state government for the sanction to operate its ‘Stand Alone Water Supply Scheme,’ a few years back,” he said.Percolation of saline water to these areas has often given nightmares to the residents as the artificial bund often breaks during heavy rains. “The other significant advantage with the coming of this bridge cum regulator is that it can easily block the flow of industrial waste from nearby industries to Periyar,” he said.However, the department official also said that though they did not encounter many bottlenecks on Pathalam project, Purappallikkavu did give them some complications.“ The department had to abandon the demarcated location as it raised grave concern from all quarters citing that building a bridge cum regulator in Purappallikkavu would destroy Cheriyatheikkanam, a highly fertile area in Kunnathukara Panchayat as there are high chances of saline water seeping into the area,” said Hari Narayanan.To built a bridge on the currently identified plot, the irrigation department had to acquire land. “We were a bit apprehensive as it would take two to three years to complete the procedures of a land acquisition. But all our fears were put to rest as the owner of the land handed over the plot willingly,” he said. He added that to implement Purappallikkavu project, an amount to the tune of `68 crore has been estimated. For this project too, NABARD has promised `50 crore with the inclusion of the amount needed for land acquisition procedures, which has to be met by the government. The irrigation department has submitted the estimate before the government,” he said.
Comments
0 comment