Over 4.5 lakh acres of agriculture land in the Cauvery delta are set to benefit from a Rs 1,560-crore project to upgrade the irrigation canals.
The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Ms J. Jayalalithaa, announced that over the next five years the funds will be used to modernise the irrigation canals and related infrastructure in the delta areas to prevent excess water in the river flowing into the sea.
The project will benefit Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam and Thanjavur districts.
The Asian Development Bank has approved a Rs 1,092-crore loan for the project. The State Government will bring in Rs 468 crore. The project will offer multiple benefits.
Modernisation of the irrigation channels and creation of new reservoirs will help conserve surplus water. This will help recharge of ground water and prevent sea water intrusion.