Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday allocated Rs 22.28 crore for upgrading the irrigation canal at the Paralaiyar sub basin in Ramanathapuram district with a view to use the surplus water received in Vaigai river during rainy season.
The allocation has been made under the Irrigated Agriculture Modernisation and Water-Bodies Restoration and Management (IAMWARM) project.
Around 4,957 acres in drought-prone district of Ramanathapruam; Paramakudi and Mudukulathur taluks would get water through 59 irrigation canals due to the upgradation, an official release here said.
During the rainy season, surplus water received through Vaigai river would be diverted through Paralaiyar canal so that the lakes in Paramakudi and Mudukulathur are benefitted. Since the Paralaiyar canal does not have the capacity to carry the full quantum of surplus water, there is a need for improving this canal. The Chief Minister made the allocation after accepting representations from farmers.
The IAMWARM project was implemented in 2005 with assistance from the World Bank and Rs 2,082 crore was allocated.
Under the scheme, steps were taken to renovate 4,910 lakes, 662 reservoirs and irrigation canals stretching to 8,590 kms.