the major irrigation projects -...

51

THE MAJOR IRRIGATION PROJECTS

India attained independence on August 15, 1947, but our

economic independence is yet to be achieved. The economic freedom can

be obtained only with the attainment of self sufficiency in food production.

To attain self sufficiency in food production and to eliminate economic

backwardness the government of free India, under the able leadership of

Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, took vital measures. Among them the

irrigational schemes which attained priority are worthy of a detailed study.

At that time of necessity the experts knew that irrigation is the infra-

structure for any planned increase in agricultural production. Based on the

expert opinion the Planning Committee gave priority for implementing

various irrigational schemes through the Five Year Plans1.

In India, Tamil Nadu is the second water scarce State next to

Rajasthan. There are thirty three river basins in Tamil Nadu. However,

Cauvery is the only perennial river and others dry up in summer causing

ecological and environmental problems in their basins and estuaries2. The

undependable and erratic rainfalls introduce an element of risk, uncertainty

and inability in crop production. In order to avert this situation large dams

1 A. Mohana Krishnan Water Resources Development and Management, Trichy,

2004, p.179.

2 Ibid., p.234.

52

are built to store water during the rainy season. The large dams often

described as “Temples of Modern India” are the backbone of large scale

irrigation in Tamil Nadu. This description is quite sufficient to understand

the significance of large dams in the country3. A number of large dams

were initiated and completed in the period between 1947 and 1967 in

Tamil Nadu.

The Lower Bhavani Project, Mettur Canal Scheme,

Amaravathi Reservoir Project, Manimuthar Reservoir Project, Arainar

Reservoir Project, Vaigai Reservoir Project, Sathanur Reservoir Project,

Krishnagiri Reservoir Project, Pullambadi Canal Scheme, Parambikulam-

Aliyar Project, Chittar-Pattanamkal Scheme and Mambazhathurai Scheme

are these dams. Among all the schemes except Mambazhathurai Scheme

all the other projects were completed and opened for irrigation before

1967. All these dams brought tremendous changes in the history of Tamil

Nadu. Mambazhathurai scheme was completed in 2010 and opened for

irrigation on November 30, 2010.

3 D. Nirmala, “Problems Faced by the Farmers”, Kissan World, Vol. XXXVI,

September, 2009, p.21.

53

2.1. The Lower Bhavani Project

The Lower Bhavani project was one of the British

achievements in the Tamil country. For the preliminary works regarding

the Lower Bhavani project that government appointed Sir. Charles Innes in

1906 as the Special Revenue Officer instructing him to report on the

various aspects of the scheme. After extensive enquiry Sir. Charles Innes

recommended the Lower Bhavani project as more remunerative. But the

proposal for the scheme had to be dropped due to the outbreak of the First

World War. Later Sir Priestly was appointed as the Special Revenue

Officer. His recommendation was also favourable for the scheme4. Then

the Public Works Department proceeded with the preparation of plans and

estimates for the scheme. The scheme was about to be sanctioned in 1938.

But due to the outbreak of the Second Global War in 1939 the project had

to be dropped again5. After the Second World war in 1946, the Chief

Engineer for irrigation Shri. A.R. Venkatachari prepared a plan. The

government accepted the plan and ordered the execution of the project6.

4 Report of the Lower Bhavani Project, Vol.I, Government of Madras, 1965,

p.12.

5 Ibid., p.13.

6 Ibid., p.23.

54

The Lower Bhavani Project is the biggest project sanctioned

by the government since the popular government came into office in 19467.

It consists of the storage reservoir partly a masonry and partly in earth

work across the Bhavani river in Coimbatore District8. Bhavani river

originating from the Nilgiri Hills9, is a tributary of the Cauvery and has a

major portion of its course in Coimbatore district. The credit for the

successful execution of the project goes to Shri. A.R. Venkatachari, the

former Chief Engineer for irrigation and Shri. A. Srinivasan the Chief

Executive Engineer, who built the dam.10.

The Bhavani project will harness the waters of the Bhavani in

its lower reaches. The river which comes under the influence of both

South West and North East Monsoons carried ordinarily heavy fresh water.

But these fresh water would last only for a few days. Therefore the

necessity of conserving the fresh water for utilization at the proper time

was keenly felt and the Lower Bhavani Project was designed toward that

end11.

7 Report of the Madras State Administration, 1950-1951, p.179.

8 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

9 Report on Optimum Utilisation of Irrigation Potential, Lower Bhavani Project,

Government of India, 1964, p.1.

10 Madras Information, Vol.IX, September 1955, p.10.

11 Report of Triennial Review of Irrigation in India, 1953-1956, p.153.

55

The Lower Bhavani project which came under the First Five

Year Plan is a noteworthy project12. The construction of the project was

started in 1948. A full fledged Public Health Division under a Health

Officer was organised even as the work started in 1948 to take all

preventive steps to keep under check contagious diseases like Malaria,

Cholera and Small Pox13. It consists of a dam partly in masonry and partly

in earthwork of 5 ½ miles long on the Bhavani river14. It provided

employment for about 6,000 men15.

The dam has the height of 140 feet high over the river bed

level and about 200 feet over the deepest foundation level. It irrigates

2,07,000 acres of food and cotton crops mainly in Coimbatore district16.

The beneficial areas are Gobichettipalayam, Bhavani, Erode and

Dharapuram taluks of Coimbatore District and Karur taluk of

Tiruchirapalli District which yield 33,000 tons of food grains and 14,700

tons of cotton17. The estimated cost of the project is Rs.10 crores18. The

Lower Bhavani is the largest earth dam to be undertaken in Tamil Nadu19.

12 Report of the Committee on Agricultural Production, Madras, 1966, p.16.

13 Report of the Madras State Administration, 1954, p.107.



16 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

17 G.O. Ms. No.3986, P.W.D., November 13, 1954.

18 Madras Information, Vol. IX, September 1955, p.10.

19 Madras Information, Vol. III, December 1949, p.13.

56

The dam site is 22 miles from Mettupalayam broadgauge railway terminus

and 9 miles up-stream of Sathiyamangalam town. The project was

completed in 1956 and was opened for irrigation in the same year20.

2.2. The Mettur Canal Scheme

The Mettur Canal Scheme was sanctioned in 194921 as a post

war development scheme and continued throughout the First Five Year

Plan period22. The existing water supply from the Mettur dam stood

insufficient to meet the needs of Salem and Coimbatore district. So the

government inorder to meet the deficit, constructed a weir across the high

level supply channel from the Mettur Reservoir 490 ft. below the toe of

the dam23. The Mettur Canal scheme was proposed to irrigate 45,000 acres

in Coimbatore and Salem districts. The main canal termed as the West

Bank Canal takes off from the 27 mile long high level channel. It irrigates

800 acres in Omalur taluk of Salem district and 17,200 acres in Bhavani

taluk of Coimbatore district. The canal on the left side of the Cauvery

known as the East Bank canal runs for about 40 miles and irrigates 27,000

20 Report on Optimum Utilisation of Irrigation Potential, Lower Bhavani

Project, Government of India, 1964, p.1.

21 G.O. Ms. No.627, P.W.D., February 22, 1949.


23 Madras Information, Vol.XIII, December 1959, p.4.

57

acres in Omalur and Tiruchengode taluks of Salem district24. The cost of

the scheme was Rs.245 lakhs25.

The West Bank Canal taking off from the highlevel channel

was completed in full length of 27 miles in 195726. The East Bank canal

was completed in 1958. Both the West Bank Canal and the East Bank

canal were opened for irrigation in August 195827. All the works of the

Mettur Canal Scheme were completed in 1961 and water was let down for

irrigation from July 15, 1961 for the entire ayacut of 45,000 acres28. The

scheme offered an additional food production of about 17,400 tons of food

grains29. Mettur Canal Scheme proved a boon to Salem and Coimbatore

districts without which 45,000 acres of land would have remained barren30.

2.3. Amaravathi Reservoir Project

Dharapuram and Udumalpet taluks of Coimbatore district

have been frequently ravaged by famine, as a result of continuous failure of

24 Administration Report of the Public Works Department, Madras State, 1956-

57, p.8.

25 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.





30 Report of the Committee on Agricultural Production, Madras, April 1966, p.23.

58

monsoons. The government therefore decided to plan an irrigation project

in this area. The outcome is the Amaravathi Project31.

Amaravathi is a major tributary of the river Cauvery. It rises

in the Western Ghats near Munar in Travancore32. The Amaravathi Dam

was proposed to be built at the point where the river enters from the hills in

the plains and half a mile below the Kobu forest bungalow. The site is 14

miles south east of Udumalpet town in Coimbatore district. The dam

would be 133 feet high over the riverbed and will be 3,700 feet long. It

would be partly in masonry and partly in earth with a spillway in the river

portion33. The project consists of a storage reservoir across the river near

the foot of the Western Ghats34. The storage capacity of the reservoir will

be 4,000 million cubic feet.35. The project is expected to irrigate 21,000

acres of new area besides stabilising existing irrigation of 32,000 acres36.

The people of Coimbatore district have also shown commendable

willingness to help themselves for the completion of the Amaravathi

31 Report of the Triennial Review of Irrigation in India, New Delhi, 1953-1956,

p.59.

32 Madras Information, Vol.XIII, February 1959, p.72.

33 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.


p.59.

35 Administration Report of the Public Works Department, Madras State,

1957-1958, p.11.

36 Report of the Triennial Review of Irrigation in India, New Delhi 1953-1956,

p.59.

59

project37. It was completed in 1958, during the Second Five Year Plan

period and considered as a boon to Coimbatore district38. Under the

Amaravathi project, wet irrigation was limited to 5 percent, Sugarcane

reserved 81 percent and the 14 percent was reserved for dry crops. The

total cost of the project is Rs.350 lakhs. The additional food production

expected is 10,000 tons39.

2.4. The Manimuthar Reservoir Project

The Manimuthar River is a principal tributary of

Tambraparani River40 and rises from the Western Ghats at an altitude of

6000 ft.41. The Tambraparani River affords perennial irrigation to a fairly

large area on which two crops are normally raised42. The Manimuthar

project is designed to serve the needs of Ambasamudram, Tirunelveli,

Nanguneri, Tiruchendur and Srivaikundam taluks43. This Project was

37 Second Five Year Plan, Madras State, Coimbatore District, Madras, 1955,

p.12.

38 Administration Report of the Public works Department, Madras State,

1964-1965, p.4.

39 Report of the Triennial Review for Irrigation in India, New Delhi 1953-1956,

p.59.

40 G.O. Ms. No.3339, P.W.D., December 12, 1962.


1952, p.11.

42 Gazetteers of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu State, Vol. I, 2002, p.471.

43 Ibid., p.472.

60

sanctioned in 1950 at an estimated cost of Rs.390 lakhs44. It was

inaugurated on November 29, 1950 by Shri. M. Bhaktavatsalam, Minister

for Public Works45. This is a great event in the history of Tirunelveli

district and this is the first large irrigation project to be taken up for

execution in this district46. Extension of irrigation was encouraged by

constructing dams47. In course of time the estimated amount of Rs.390

lakhs was found insufficient for the completion of the work. Hence the

amount for the Manimuthar Project was revised to Rs.505 lakhs in 195548.

The project consisted of a storage reservoir of 5,500 million

cubic feet formed across the Manimuttar River at a place about 3 miles

above its confluence with the Tambraparani River49. The monsoonic

floods of the Tambraparani River are proposed to be conserved by a

reservoir across the Manimuthar. The reservoir is situated at a point 4

miles South-West of Kallidaikurichi Village near the Ambasamudram

town. The project was constructed in order to supplement the supply of

water to the existing ayacut of 83,000 acres under Tambraparani system

44 G.O. Ms. No.3842, P.W.D., October 13, 1950.

45 Madras Information, Vol. VIII, January 1954, p.20.

46 Madras Information, Vol.V, January 1951, p.24.

47 Gazetteer of Dharmapuri District, Tamil Nadu State, 1995, p.473.

48 G.O. Ms. No.2397, P.W.D., June 1955.


1956-1957, p.10.

61

and a new canal 28 miles long feed nearly 300 precariously rainfed tanks50.

It irrigates a new area of 20,000 acres in the taluks of Ambasamudram,

Tirunelveli, Nanguneri, Tiruchendur and Srivaikundam51. This area is

paradoxically subjected to frequent crop failure due to dearth of water at

crucial times though there is enough surplus water. The project also

envisages irrigation facilities to 83,000 acres of existing irrigation under

the Tambraparani system52. Additional rice production is estimated at

20,000 tons for the district53.

The catchment area at the site of the reservoir is 62.4 sq. were

miles. The total length of the dam is 279 feet and the height consists of

150 feet above the foundation level54. Preservation of the rich and fertile

agricultural valley of the Tambraparani river formed major purpose of

Manimuthar reservoir55. The reservoir was developed partly by solid

gravity type of masonry dam and partly by earth dam at the flanks56. The

project was completed in 1958 and the water was let down for irrigation for


1952, p.11.

51 Madras Information, Vol. XIII, February 1959, p.72.


53 Madras Information, Vol. VIII, January 1954, p.20.

54 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

55 Gazetteers of Tirunelveli District, Tamil Nadu State, Vol.I., 2002, p.472.

56 Ibid., p.471.

62

the first time on January 3, 195857. This project is hailed as the first large

irrigation project in Tirunelveli district58.

The Manimuthar reservoir project had left an indelible mark

on the history of irrigation in the district from its inception. As a part of

Tambraparani irrigation system the Manimuthar irrigation project serves as

a potential factor, helping more than 60 percent of the people to undertake

vigorous agricultural activity. The prosperity of the ryots of Tirunelveli

district is largely due to the Manimuthar Reservoir Project59. Since the

inception of the Manimuthar Reservoir Project one lakh three thousand

acres of barren and dry land came into irrigational use and thereby the

fertility of the agricultural land further increased to a great extent60. The

people with full confidence undertake cultivation of variety of crops, such

as paddy, banana, coconut, groundnut, ginger, cotton, chillies, vegetables

and dry crops like cholam, ragi, maize and pulses during all the seasons.

This reservoir is a gift of the western ghats to the Tamil country in general


58 Madras Information, Vol.V., January 1951, p.24.

59 Report of the Committee on Agricultural Development, Madras, 1959, p.1.

60 Report of Irrigation and Water Resources in Tirunelveli District, P.W.D.,

Tirunelveli, December 1999, p.69.

63

and to Tirunelveli district in particular. But for this scheme the entire

district would have been left as a desert with thorns and bushes61.

2.5. Araniar Reservoir Project

The Araniar Reservoir Project was constructed across the

river Araniar at a site four miles west of Nagalapuram village in Tiruvallur

taluk of Chingleput district62. The investigation of the project was taken

up in 194763. The Araniar project was sanctioned in 1951 at an estimated

cost of Rs.95.22 lakhs64. The capacity of the reservoir is 1,734 m.cu. ft.

The height of the dam above deep level is 47 feet and the area benefitted

by the project is 5,500 acres65. It is also proposed to irrigate 3,600 acres of

second crop66.

The Araniar Project was inaugurated on July 23, 1951 by

Shri. M. Bhaktavatsalam, Minister for Public Works67. The inauguration

of the Araniar project is a great boon to the dry areas of Chingleput

61 Report about the Regulation of Manimuthar Reservoir, Madras, July 7, 1961,

p.2.

62 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.


64 G.O. Ms. No.1374, P.W.D., April 4, 1951.


1956-1957, p.15.


67 Madras Information, Vol.V, September 1951, p.6.

64

District. It is rightly pointed out by Shri. A.R. Venkatachari, Chief

Engineer on the occasion of inauguration that the Araniar project is the

first large irrigation project to be undertaken in Chingleput district68. The

project is expected to add 5,000 tons of rice annually to the food resources

of Chingleput district69. The project was completed in 195770.

2.6. The Vaigai Reservoir Project

The Vaigai river originates in the Varushanad areas became a

boon to the Madurai district, which is equally dry and arid as its immediate

southern neighbour Ramanathapuram. The important tributaries of Vaigai

are Vairavanar, Sirumalaiyar, Suruliar, Theniar, Varattar, Nagalar,

Varaghanadhi, Manjalar, Marudhanadhi, Sathiar Odai and Upperar. Most

of them are found dry in the major part of a year71.

The Vaigai Dam was constructed across the river Vaigai72

near Narasingapuram Village, Periyakulam taluk of Madurai district in

68 Ibid.

69 Report of the Triennial Review of Irrigation in India, 1953-1956, p.58.

70 The Second plan Madras State, Review of Progress for 1956-57, 1957-58,

programme for 1958-59, p.57.

71 Report of the Expert Committee on Development and Management of

Water Resources of Tamil Nadu, Vol.II, March 2003, p.25.

72 Madras Information, Vol.XV, July 1961, p.3.

65

Tamil Nadu73. Madurai is the second largest city in Tamil Nadu and

situated on the banks of the river Vaigai. It is 40 miles from Madurai, 28

miles from Kodai road railway station, 54 miles from the Hill Station

Kodaikanal and 48 miles from Thekkedy, the famous Game Sanctuary.

Originally the site was not endowed with natural beauty, but its location

served the purpose of construction of the dam74.

The Government approved the Vaigai project and sanctioned

its execution in 195475. The Vaigai Reservoir project was sanctioned at an

estimated cost of Rs.300 lakhs and was technically sanctioned for Rs.330

lakhs76.

The purpose of Vaigai Reservoir Project scheme is to divert a

greater part of the surplus water of the Periyar, which is wasted into the

Arabian Sea77. Shri K.M. Frederick was the Chief Engineer, who designed

the plan for the neat execution of the project. The Vaigai Reservoir will

impound the surplus waters diverted from the Periyar lake. The flood

flows of the Vaigai river that reach the sea as waste will also be stored in

73 The Second Plan, Madras State, Review of Progress for 1956-57, 1957-58

and Programme for 1958- 1959, p.57.





66

the reservoir78. The greater part of 4000 m.cu. ft. has to be utilized for new

irrigation around the Vaigai river79.

The scope of the project is to bring under irrigation an

additional area of 20,000 acres on both sides of the river. Accordingly

10,000 acres on the right side of the river in Tirumangalam taluk in

Madurai district and another 10,000 acres on the left side of the river

comprising 3,000 acres of hard cases in the midst of wet lands of Periyar

delta and 7,000 acres in Sivaganga taluk of Ramanathapuram district80.

Altogether the project is expected to irrigate an additional crop on an area

of 20,000 acres and the additional production expected is 7,500 tons of

rice81. The catchment area of the river at the site of the dam is

2,252 sq. kms (870 square miles). The dam will be a combined masonry

dam and flanking earth dams. The masonry dam made up consisted a

length of 1,035 feet and flanking earth dams 1,780 feet on the left and

8,860 feet on the right82. Its maximum height will be about 106 feet above


1956-1957, p.11.

79 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.


81 Madras Information, Vol.IX, September 1955, p.11.

82 Report of the Triennial Review for Irrigation in India 1953-1956, p.56.

67

the riverbed83 and the total capacity of the reservoir is 6,800 million cubic

feet84.

The Vaigai Reservoir Project was completed in 1958. It was

inaugurated on January 21, 195985 by the then Chief Minister

Shri. K. Kamaraj. In his inaugural address he focused on the significance

of the dam, in addition to irrigation as a first rate tourist centre besides the

purpose of irrigation86. Accordingly parks and gardens with enchanting

cascades and fountains beautifully illuminated were formed. The parks are

laid out at an extensive scale on the bank of the reservoir in an area of 25

acres of land with life size statues, flower-beds, children’s corner, star

canopiet etc. Thousands of people visit the place on Saturdays and

Sundays. As large number of students from schools, colleges and technical

institutions visit the project, a model of Periyar-Vaigai river system,

depicting the Western Ghats, where the Periyar river originates, has been

prepared and is on view. It is found to be very instructive and interesting87.

The same Chief Minister inaugurated a Cafeteria, a Information Centre, the

Children’s train and a model of the Periyar Vaigai system in May 196188.

83 Madras Information, Vol. IX, August 1955, p.20.

84 Madras Information, Vol.XIII, February 1959, p.72.

85 Ibid., p.74.


87 Ibid., p.4.

88 Ibid., p.3.

68

A news report on that inauguration day of Vaigai Reservoir says,

“Villagers with smiling faces from the nearby hamlets had thronged to

witness the fulfillment of their long-cherished desire to get the water of the

Periyar diverted into their area for irrigation89.

The bridge below the Vaigai dam was opened by

Shri. Shanmuga Rajeswara Sethupathi, Minister for public works. One of

the main items of the component works for the Vaigai Reservoir Project is

the bridge work. The bridge forms a permanent link between the two

villages in Periyakulam area in the left side and Andipatti area on the right

side of the river. The bridge is helped for the transport of men, machinery

and materials from one flank to the other90.

The Vaigai Reservoir Project helped to change the socio-

economic conditions of Thirumangalam, Nilakottai and Usilampatti taluks

of the predominant Kallar Community. This project became a very

important one in Tamil Nadu after Independence91. When the Vaigai

Reservoir project was undertaken for the benefit of the people of Madurai

district the Sathanur Reservoir Project came to the help of North Arcot and

South Arcot Districts.



91 Report of Tamil Nadu Water Resources Consolidation Project, Madras, 2000,

p.237.

69

2.7. Sathanur Reservoir Project

Sathanur Reservoir Project is hailed as the brain child of

Chief Minister Shri. K. Kamaraj92. It was a new irrigational scheme

started during the First Five Year Plan93. The project was launched across

the river Ponniar and constructed near Sathanur village in North Arcot

District94. Shri. U. Ananda Rao, Chief Engineer for Irrigation was mainly

responsible for the construction of the dam. The project was constructed in

two stages. The first stage which consists of 4,600 million cubic feet

brought 16,700 acres of new land under plough in North Arcot and South

Arcot regions95. It also assured supplies to the existing wet lands in both

districts96. In South Arcot district about 4,300 acres of existing lands could

be benefitted by it97. The first stage of the Sathanur Project was officially

sanctioned in 1954 at an estimated cost of Rs.263 lakhs98 and was

inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister, Shri. K. Kamaraj on


1956-1957, p.14.

93 Report of the Review of First Five Year Plan, 1957, p.152.

94 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

95 Report of the Triennial Review for Irrigation in India, 1953-1956, p.57.



1961-1962, p.2.

98 G.O. Ms. No.2529, P.W.D., July 20, 1954.

70

October 2, 195499. The inauguration of the project on Gandhi Jayanthi day

marks a major landmark in the history of North Arcot district as it is the

first major storage project to be taken up for execution in the district100.

The Sathanur project consists of a storage reservoir across the

river Ponniar, 7 kms from Sathanur village and 35 kms from

Thiruvannamalai101. The dam is 2,580 feet long102 with the capacity of

4,600 m.cu. ft.103 and consists of both masonry dam and earth dam104.

The height of the dam above the deepest riverbed is 135 ft. and above the

deepest foundation is 167 ft.105.

The first stage of the Sathanur Project was completed in

1957106 and was opened for irrigation on November 10, 1957 by

Shri. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu107. Chengam and

Tiruvannamalai taluks of North Arcot district as well as Tirukoilur taluk of

South Arcot district are benefitted by the Sathanur project which proved a


1956-1957, p.14.

100 Madras Information, Vol. VIII, November 1954, p.3.


102 Ibid.

103 The Second Plan Madras State, Review of Progress for 1956-57, 1957-58

and Programmes for 1958-59, p.58.

104 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

105 Madras Information, Vol.XIV, June 1960, p.29.



71

special boon to them108. The second stage of the Sathanur Reservoir

project was sanctioned in the year 1961 and completed at an estimated cost

of Rs.55 lakhs. The second stage of Sathanur project was undertaken to

increase the capacity of Sathanur Reservoir project from 4,600 m.cu. ft. to

8100 m.cu. ft. This could be achieved by installing crest gates over the

spill of the dam and also converting the low level saddle into vented

escapes109. The second stage of the Sathanur project was completed in

1964110. The project also promoted the scope of tourism in the area.

The Sathanur dam is located at a distance of 7 Kilometers

from Sathanur village and 35 kilometers from Tiruvannamalai town across

Ponniar river. There is a narrow gorge between the Chinnapadi hills on the

east and corresponding low range hills on the west. An ideal picnic spot

modelled on the Brindavan Garden of Mysore was brought up in the

foregrounds of the Sathanur dam in North Arcot district to attract tourists

in thousands111. The project envisages irrigation facilities to 16,700 acres

of new area and ensures supplies to 3,300 acres of existing wet lands in


1957, p.14.


1961-1962, p.9.

110 Madras Information, Vol. XX, December 1966, p.36.

111 Madras Information, Vol.XIV, June 1960, p.24.

72

North Arcot district. It also provides irrigation facilities to 4,700 acres of

existing ayacuts in South Arcot district112.

2.8. The Krishnagiri Reservoir Project

The Krishnagiri Reservoir was constructed across the river

Ponniar in Periamuthur Village of Krishnagiri taluk in Salem District113.

This district occupies a predominant place among the dry districts of Tamil

Nadu. With regard to population also this district stands fourth place in

Tamil Nadu114. Most of the arable lands in Salem district are dry and the

crops are mainly rainfed. The district generally receives poor rainfall in

the South-West and North-East monsoons. But a fairly good quantity of

water running in the Ponniar River is a sheer waste, as it is not stored. All

these pointed out the necessity of a reservoir to benefit a portion of Salem

district115. The need of a major irrigation project in Salem district was first

proposed in 1875 by Mr. Thomas, the then collector of Salem district. So

the project was locally called as the Thomas Project116. So in order to store

the surplus water the Krishnagiri Reservoir was constructed across the

112 Report of Irrigation Review for the year, 1954-1955, pp.33-34.

113 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.

114 Madras Information, Vol. IX, February 1955, p.1.

115 Ibid., p.3.

116 Madras Information, Vol. XI, September 1957, p.8.

73

river Ponniar117. The scheme was sanctioned in November 1954 and the

work was inaugurated in January 1955 by Shri. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief

Minister of Tamil Nadu118.

The river Ponniyar has its source in the South-eastern slopes

of Chennakesava Hills in Nandidurg, Mysore State. There is practically no

flow in the river except during the monsoonic season119. The Krishnagiri

Reservoir Project is the first major project in the dry district of Salem in

which great interest has been evinced by the local population120. The cost

of the project is Rs.184 lakhs including direct and indirect charges121. The

capacity of the reservoir is fixed at 2,400 m.cu. ft. It is 3,600 ft. long and

70 ft. high above the riverbed122.

The Krishnagiri project was completed in 1957 and brought

for beneficial use on August 15, 1957 on the tenth anniversary of Indian

Independence123. With the help of the project 7,500 acres of parched fields

117 Madras Information, Vol. IX, February 1955, p.3.


119 Ibid., p.8.

120 Ibid., p.12.


p.57.

122 G.O. Ms. No.2566, P.W.D., July 23, 1954.


74

of Salem district were brought under cultivation124, by which an additional

food grains of 3,500 tons was expected annually125. The people of

Periamuthur, Sundekuppam, Thimmapuram, Chowstahalli, Thalihalli,

Kalvahalli, Kundalapatti, Mittahalli, Errahatti, Pomeswaramadam,

Kaveripatnam, Beleguli, Marichettihalli, Meppanahalli, Janeparahati and

Paiyur Villages are benefitted by the reservoir. This reservoir is a

mammoth project to the people of Salem district because dry lands in

Salem district were brought under wet cultivation through this project126.

The project is mentioned as the last major irrigation project undertaken

during the First Five Year Plan period for the benefit of Salem district127.

2.9. Pullambadi Canal Scheme

The Pullambadi canal scheme was one of the contributions of

the Second Five Year Plan128. In the South-eastern portion of the Lalgudi

and Udayarpalayam taluks of Tiruchirapalli district there lies a large

alluvial tract entirely suited for wet cultivation with no irrigation facilities.

124 Ibid.


1956-1957, p.16.

126 Gazetteer of India, Tamil Nadu State, Dharmapuri District, Madras,1955,

p.299.


128 Second Five Year Plan, Tiruchirapalli District, Madras State, 1957, p.41.

75

Only a portion of the area is being irrigated by the rainfed tanks129. Due to

the rainfed nature of these tanks and their limited catchments no extension

of irrigation through the tanks was possible. There has been

representations from the people for a long time to utilize the waters of the

Cauvery for irrigating the large tracts. During rainy season the excess

water of Cauvery is wasted as it flows into the sea. These surplus water

can be used for irrigation through a canal. So the people of affected areas

of Lalgudi and Udayarpalayam taluks of Tiruchirapalli district urged the

government to utilize the excess water of river Cauvery for irrigation. This

proposal was sent to the government during the First Five Year Plan

period. As the government was in financial stringency during the said

period, the proposal could not be considered favourably. However, the

planners considered the request of the people under the Second Five Year

Plan130 and the Pullambadi Canal Scheme was sanctioned in 1956131.

The Pullambadi Canal Scheme consisted of the excavation of

a canal for about 54 miles long taking off from the Upper Anicut at the

head of the Srirangam Island on the left bank of the river Cauvery132.

Through this scheme 22,114 acres in Lalgudi and Udayarpalayam taluks

129 Madras Information, Vol.XI, September 1957, p.10.


131 G.O. Ms. No.3103, P.W.D. July 11, 1956.

132 Madras Information, Vol.XX, December 1966, p.35.

76

were irrigated133. The total cost of the scheme was Rs.142.4 lakhs134. By

the execution of the Pullambadi canal scheme the dry lands were brought

under wet cultivation135. Shri. U. Ananda Rao was the Chief Engineer for

Irrigation played a vital role for the neat execution and completion of this

scheme136. The scheme was completed in the year 1960 and was

inaugurated by Shri. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu.

The Pullambadi Canal scheme fulfilled the task of the people of Lalgudi

and Udayar Palayam taluks of Tiruchirapalli district137.

2.10. The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project

The Parambikulam-Aliyar project was the largest irrigation

project under-taken during the Second Five Year Plan138. The

Parambikulam-Aliyar project proposes to utilise the streams in the

Anamalais, which traverse through both the States of Tamil Nadu and

Kerala and ultimately fall into the Arabian sea139. The project was a multi-

valley and multi-purpose project, which contemplated the utilization of


1957-1958, p.15.





138 Madras Information, Vol.XIV, January 1960, p.11.

139 Ibid.

77

water for irrigation and power resources for the benefit of Tamil Nadu and

Kerala States140. This project is a joint venture of Madras and Kerala

States. It envisages the construction of seven inter-connected reservoirs by

harnessing from a group of rivers namely, Nirar, Sholiar, Parambikulam,

Thunakadavu, Thekkadi, Aliyar and Palar. Among them Parambikulam

and Aliyar are the two major rivers on the western and eastern slopes of

Anamalai Hills respectively141. And from them the project had taken the

name Parambikulam-Aliyar project. Parambikulam reservoir is a key

reservoir in this Scheme142.

The project integrates seven west-flowing rivers by

constructing reservoirs and diversion works across them by means of

tunnels. These tunnels divert the waters impounded in the reservoirs to the

east for the irrigation of lands in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu and

Chittoor area of Kerala State143. The Parambikulam-Aliyar project was

designed to irrigate 2,40,000 acres of dry tracts in Pollachi, Udumalpet,

Palladam and Dharapuram taluks of Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu144.


1964-1965, p.4.

141 K. Srivatsava, Agricultural Economics and Co-operation, New Delhi, 1972,

p.102.



144 Madras Information, Vol.XXI, February 1967, p.4.

78

In addition to augmenting the irrigation needs of Chittoor area in Kerala, it

was intended to provide power with an installed capacity of 185,000

k.w.145. The scheme that was included in the Second Five Year Plan was

taken up under the Third Plan and continued under the Fourth Plan also146.

The Parambikulam-Aliyar Project consists of six irrigation

Canal systems. They are Aliyar Feeder canal, Sethumadai Canal, Pollachi

Canal, Vettaikaran Pudur Canal,Udumalpet Canal and Parambikulam main

Canal147. The project was inaugurated on October 7, 1961 by Pandit

Jawaharlal Nehru, the then Prime Minister of India. In his inaugural

address he said, “Now there is nothing more important in India today than

those two purposes, irrigation and electric power”148. The Project is a

symbol of interstate co-operation between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. This

co-operative endeavour enables them to grow more food, develop more

power and start more industries and ultimately to raise the standard of

living of the people149. The project co-ordination and co-operation

145 Fourth Five Year Plan Madras, Review of Progress 1967-1968, Programmes

for 1968-1969, p.86.

146 Ibid.


148 A. Mohana Krishnan, Water Resources Development and Management,

Trichy, 2004, p.252.


79

between different departments of the State and the Centre could be seen in

this venture150.

The Parambikulam-Aliyar project is a difficult and

complicated one with numerous technical problems and design features.

The entire work-investigation, planning, design, execution, management

and control of the whole project has been done by the Indian Engineers

without any foreign consultants or assistance151. The Chief Engineer who

planned for the neat execution of the project was Shri. U. Ananda Rao. It

was the only large irrigation project taken up during the Third Five Year

Plan and was considered as the most prestigious irrigation project executed

by the Tamil Nadu State Government152. The estimated cost of the scheme

is Rs.35.08 crores. Aliyar Dam was completed and the reservoir was

thrown open for irrigation on October 2, 1962. Inauguration of Aliyar

Dam on the Gandhi Jayanthi day is another landmark in the history of

irrigation of Coimbatore District. The Aliyar Dam is the fourth major

irrigation project undertaken by the national government in this district

after the attainment of Independence. The first three are lower Bhavani


151 Ibid.

152 Third Five Year Plan, Madras State, Madras, 1960, p.44.

80

Project, the Mettur Canal Scheme and the Amaravathi Reservoir project153.

The construction of other dams were completed in 1967154.

The Parambikulam-Aliyar project system provides insurance

against the failure of crops due to drought conditions in Coimbatore

district. Those who possess dry and arid land in the Coimbatore district are

largely benefitted by this scheme. This project is considered as a gift to

Coimbatore district as that of Nile to Egypt155. Parambikulam-Aliyar

scheme claims credit among the various irrigation programmes of the State

because for the first time the west flowing waters have been diverted to the

east156.

2.11. Chittar - Pattanamkal Scheme

The Chittar-Pattanamkal project was started during the Third

Five Year Plan for the benefit of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts157.

This project was intended to irrigate 15,000 acres of double crop lands in


154 Fourth Five Year Plan, Madras, Review of Progress 1967-68, Programmes

1968-69, p.86.


156 A. Mohana Krishnan, Water Resources Development and Management,

Trichy, 2004, p.13.

157 Fourth Five Year Plan Madras, Review of Progress 1967-68, Programmes for

1968-69, p.87.

81

Kanyakumari District and 17,000 acres of single crop lands in Radhapuram

sub-taluk area of Tirunelveli district158. The foundation for the project was

laid by Shri. K. Kamaraj, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on

September 26, 1963159. Right from the time of the merger of Kanyakumari

district with Tamil Nadu, the government of Tamil Nadu has been

concentrating their attention in implementing several development projects

for the advancement of farmers. This area was termed as the granary of the

former Travancore State. From Kanyakumari district paddy was taken to

the deficit areas and it has been the aim of the government of Tamil Nadu

to enrich it further160.

The Chittar-Pattanamkal project is one of the major

irrigational projects in the Kanyakumari district. It is mainly meant for the

rainless and water thirsty regions of the Vilavancode taluk and the father of

the district Marshall A. Nesamony was the main motivating force behind

the entire scheme. The project constituted two earthern dams constructed

across the river Chittar I and Chittar II161. Like the Kodayar Project, the


159 Madras Information, Vol.XVIII, October 1964, p.36.

160 Ibid.

161 Report of the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Irrigation systems

Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts, 1974, p.2.

82

Chittar-Pattanamkal is a joint project consisting of two dams across

Chittar-I and Chittar-II162.

This project is located in Vilavancode taluk of Kanyakumari

district163. A Special Public Works division was formed to attend to this

work with its head-quarters at Nagercoil on December 1, 1963. The

second division was formed on November 6, 1964 with its head-quarters at

Cheruppallor164. The estimated cost for this scheme was Rs.680 lakhs.

The works of the project were intended to help the Vilavancode taluk of

the Kanyakumari district and Radhapuram taluk of the Tirunelveli district.

162 Kanyakumari Agricultural Economics performance and issues, Post Graduate

Research Department of Economics, (U.G.C. projects) Scott Christian College,

Nagercoil, October 1990 to March 1992, p.36.

163 Before November 1, 1956 there was no Kanyakumari District. The region

comprising the four revenue taluks of Vilavancode, Kalkulam, Agasteeswaram

and Thovalai formed part and parcel of the erstwhile Travancore-Cochin state.

Unlike the Malayalam language of the people of other taluks of this state, the

people of these four taluks spoke Tamil and preferred to be Tamilians. The

Travancore government ignored the people of these four taluks in many a way.

And hence they started agitation for a separate Tamil administration of their

own. In the meantime by the linguistic state-reorganisation of 1st November

1956 these four taluks were seceded from the Travancore-Cochin and acceded

to the then Madras State. The then Chief Minister of Madras Shri. K. Kamaraj

made the Kanyakumari district out of the union of the said four taluks. Since

its merger with Tamil country Kanyakumari district is getting many

developmental schemes. One among them is Chittar-Pattanamkal scheme.

164 Administration Report of the Public Works Department Madras State, 1963-

1964, p.3.

83

Some foothills of the western ghats in the Kanyakumari district served the

purpose of construction of all the reservoirs. Hence at the time of reaching

the full capacity of all these four dams (Pechipparai, Perunchani, Chittar I

and Chittar II) their catchment areas appeared one and two same165. The

Chittar-Pattanamkal project consists of the following works.

(i) Raising the Full Reservoir Level of Pechiparai reservoir by 6’ and

increasing its storage by 84 m.cu.ft. Originally the dam had the

height of 42’. Shri. K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Tamil

Nadu had developed the idea of increasing the height of the dam to

48’ with the intention of diverting the excess water above the

original height of 42’ to the benefit of the Radhapuram taluk of the

Tirunelveli district.

(ii) Raising the Full Reservoir Level of Perunchani Reservoir by 6” and

increasing its storage by 500 m.cu. ft. This was also intended to help

the Radhapuram taluk of the Tirunelveli district as in the case of

Pechipparai.

(iii) Construction of two dams across the two Chittar rivers to form two

reservoirs - one on Chittar I with a gross capacity of 535 m.cu.ft.

and other on Chittar II with a capacity of 964 m.cu.ft.

165 Madras Information, Vol.XVII, February 1964, p.30.

84

(iv) Construction of an interconnecting channel between the Chittar I and

the Chittar II reservoirs so as to use the storages of both.

(v) Providing a feeder Channel from the Chittar I to the existing left

bank canal of Kodaiyar system to take in the additional flow

diverted from the two Chittar reservoirs.

(vi) Excavation of the new Pattanamkal Canal from mile 6/4 of the left

bank canal of Kodaiyar system to irrigate 10,000 acres of double

crops through a net work of distributaries.

(vii) Extending the existing two Channels taking off from the

Tirpparappu weir to benefit 5,000 acres of double crop including the

existing irrigation of 1,548 acres.

(viii) Improvements and lining for the Pandiankal Channel up to mile 1/3,

Thovala Channel upto the branching of Nilappara Channel and also

for the first one mile and two furlongs from the Nilappara Channel.

(ix) Excavating new Channel from mile 1/2 1250 of Nilappara Channel

for the length of 22 miles four furlongs upto Radhapuram, tailing at

Mahendran tank to benefit 17,000 acres166.

166 Ibid.

85

The Chittar-Pattanamkal scheme added new strength to the

people of Kanyakumari and Tirunelveli districts. With the help of this

scheme wastelands were brought under largescale cultivation in the

Killiyoor constituency of the Kanyakumari district. Wet crops are

cultivated in Kanyakumari District, while dry crops like cholam, rage,

chillies etc. are cultivated in Tirunelveli District167. After irrigating the

entire one time water thirsty region the surplus water of the Chittar dams

reaches the Arabian sea at Thengapattanam. Hence the project got the

name Chittar-Pattanamkal. This scheme made an indelible impression in

the minds of the people of this region about the earnestness and honesty of

two noble minded leaders Shri. K. Kamaraj and Marshall A. Nesamony.

2.12. Mambazhathurai Scheme

Mambazhathurai dam was constructed across the river

Mambazhathuraiar168. In the Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu State

water scarcity was not so acute unlike as in other districts. But water

position in all the taluks was not uniform. In the Agastheswaram taluk

more acres of land remained as dry land without getting water for

cultivation. This in turn roused the State’s attention for work along that

direction. Already there was a proposal for the Mambazhathurai dam

167 Madras Information Vol. XX, December 1966, p.38.

168 Daily Thanthi, Tamil Daily, Nagercoil, November 30, 2010, p.5.

86

based on the request made by the people. So the scheme was included

under the Third Five Year Plan. This scheme across the

Mambazhathuraiar offered irrigation to the dry lands in Agastheswaram

taluk169.

The Mambazhathurai dam is located on the National

Highway from Nagercoil to Thiruvananthapuram, from Villukury 3 km. at

Anaikidangu. It is 35 metres long and 80 ft. high. The total expenditure

was Rs.20 crore 97 lakhs. From this dam 25 tanks receive water for

irrigation. Large acres of agricultural land could be irrigated by this

project170. The project prolonged for a long period. People thought that

this project is a dream just like Poigai dam. But the dam got a new life

under the able Chief Ministership of Shri. M. Karunanidhi and the work

was started in May 2007 and was completed on November 29, 2010171.

The project was opened for irrigation on November 30, 2010 and was

inaugurated by the Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Shri. M.K. Stalin

on the same day172. The day November 30, 2010 was a very memorable

169 Third Five Year Plan, Madras State, 1960, p.49.

170 Daily Thanthi, Tamil Daily, Nagercoil, December 1, 2010, p.13.

171 Ibid.

172 Daily Thanthi, Tamil Daily, Nagercoil, November 30, 2010, p.5.

87

day because the dreams of the agriculturists of Kanyakumari district came

to be cherished173.

Salient features of the Mambazhathurai dam are

i. Total length of reservoir : 360 m

• Length of Earthern Bund : 330 m

• Length of Surplus weir : 30m

ii. Height of Reservoir : 28.50m

iii. Capacity of Reservoir : 44.54 m.cu. feet

iv. Full Reservoir level : +87.000 m

v. Top Bund Level of Reservoir : + 60.500 m

vi. Sill level of sluice : + 68.500m

vii. Maximum Discharge capacity

of Surplus weir : 5788 CFf/Sec.

viii. Length of Surplus course : 130.00 m

ix. Annual capacity of Reservoir : 190.00 m.cu. ft.

x. Water spread area of Reservoir : 2.80 sq. miles

xi. Number of Irrigation sluice in Reservoir: 2.80 sq. miles

xii. Length of left side Main canal : 1845 m

xiii. Length of Right side canal : 380 m

xiv. Length of Branch canal : 1765 m

173 Daily Thanthi, Tamil Daily, Nagercoil, December 1, 2010, p.13.

88

xv. Total Number of Benefited Tanks : 25 Nos.

xvi. Total Benefited Ayacut : 905.76 acres 174

The development of major irrigation projects made significant

progress in Tamil Nadu. The agricultural committee has assessed the

major portion of the flood waters in the State harnessed for irrigation. The

integrated development of water and land resources paved the way for the

economic growth. The dams are considered as the backbone of large scale

irrigation in the State. There is no doubt that the major dams provided

food security to the State. Self-sufficiency in food grains was achieved.

The era after 1967 witnessed the Green Revolution in Tamil Nadu. All the

projects are highly useful for the many sided development of the nation.

But at present there is a tendency in society to shift from agriculture to

industry. Individuals are ignoring agriculture and the States are not

showing much interest in the construction of fresh schemes and the proper

maintenance of the existing ones.

174 Dam site Wall Report, 2010.

the major irrigation projects -...

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