Bid to curb water wastage in state

CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Tuesday reviewed the upgradation of infrastructure facilities in Cauvery delta region to prevent wastage of rain water. The State will improve the water use efficiency by means of modernisation of irrigation systems, improved service delivery, participation of farmers, canal automation and water use efficiency evaluation studies, among others.Senior ministers, including O Panneerselvam, K A Sengottaiyan, R Viswanathan and top officials of the government took part in the discussions.There are 34 river basins in TN, including 17 major river basins. The average rainfall of the State is 911.60 mm and the total surface water potential has been estimated to be 853 T.M.C.ft, which includes 261 T.M.C.ft. contributed by the neighbouring states.The policy note for PWD for the current year states that the government proposes to divert the flood flows in the tributaries of Cauvery — Ariyar and Koraiyar — to avoid inundation of Tiruchy town. The government is likely to take up a detailed probe and the scheme will be submitted to the Centre for financial aid, official said.