Chengalpattu waterbody desilting work begins under rural scheme

Rural Development and Water Resources Minister N. Anand inaugurated work to widen the inlet channel of Puthur lake at Nedunkundram village panchayat in Chengalpattu district on Monday. The project is being carried out under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission, a rural employment and livelihood scheme.

A press release stated that steps are being taken to desilt and restore nearly 10,185 watercourses and irrigation canals and 809 lakes and ponds in rural areas at a cost of Rs 500 crore before the onset of the Northeast monsoon. In Chengalpattu district, works have been sanctioned for 52 new ponds at Rs 3.19 crore and 447 watercourses at Rs 20.12 crore.

Officials said desilting will improve surface and groundwater levels and help prevent flooding of farmlands and residential areas during extreme weather. Minister for Human Resources Management D. Sarathkumar, elected representatives, and senior district officials were present at the inauguration.