The Water Resources Department (WRD) has achieved 60% completion of channel desilting work across approximately 7,400 kilometers in the Cauvery delta region, well ahead of the scheduled irrigation water release. Officials confirmed that all remaining works will be finalized by the first week of June.
Progress in Delta Districts
More than 4,008 kilometers of A and B channels are being desilted in Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, and Mayiladuthurai districts through 672 individual works, with a total budget exceeding Rs 62.8 crore. The desilting operations commenced on March 7. As of May 16, the average progress across these districts stands at 62%, with district-specific figures showing Thanjavur at 82.5%, Tiruvarur at 56.7%, Nagapattinam at 47.3%, and Mayiladuthurai at 63.3%.
A senior WRD official stated, "Desilting works in the delta districts are progressing smoothly and will be completed by the first week of June, before the Mettur Dam is opened for irrigation."
Central Districts Progress
In the central districts, including Trichy, Karur, Ariyalur, Perambalur, and Pudukottai, the department is desilting over 774 kilometers of channels through 237 works at a total cost of Rs 32.6 crore. The average progress in this region is 78%, with district-wise achievements: Trichy (83%), Karur (45.4%), Ariyalur (86.9%), Perambalur (82.3%), and Pudukottai (92.3%).
Overall Scheme and Concerns
Under the special desilting scheme, the WRD is desilting a total of 4,972 kilometers of A and B channels through 959 works across 12 Cauvery basin districts, with a budget allocation of Rs 100 crore. Nagapattinam MLA M H Jawahirullah has urged the government to ensure thorough desilting of all irrigation and drainage channels. He emphasized, "The state government should ensure that water is distributed without any obstructions and reaches the tail-end farmers. The progress of these works should also be discussed with farmers."
Additional Desilting by Other Departments
Meanwhile, the Agricultural Engineering Department is set to begin desilting 2,375 kilometers of C and D channels at a cost of Rs 10 crore in seven districts: Trichy, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai, Ariyalur, and Cuddalore. Additionally, the Rural Development Department will desilt smaller interior branching channels (E, D, and F categories) under the Viksit Bharat - Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB–G RAM G) scheme.
