Chennai
The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department (WRD) plans to restore 100 water bodies across the state under the Union government’s Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY), with a budget of Rs 111 crore. This includes 11 tanks in the Chennai region and 89 in the Madurai region. The project aims to improve water storage, reduce flooding, and enhance irrigation by desilting tanks, strengthening bunds, creating bird islands, and stopping sewage inflows.
The funding will come from both the Union (60%) and state (40%) governments. Tamil Nadu submitted its proposal in 2023 and recently received approval. Each water body will get about Rs 1.5 crore, and work is set to start by late 2025, with completion expected by December 2026.
In Chennai, tanks in areas like Tambaram, Thalambur, Chengalpet, and Thiruvallur will be restored. The WRD is working with the revenue department to mark tank boundaries and remove encroachments quickly. The tank sizes range from 50 to 165 hectares.
In the Madurai region—which covers Kallakuruchi, Madurai, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram—focus is on tanks prone to flooding in recent years. Tanks in places like Thyagadurgam, Kallakuruchi, Thirunavalur, Kallal, and Devakottai will be rejuvenated, along with those in Madurai city and nearby areas.
The project also aims to earn these water bodies an encroachment-free certification from the Ministry of Jal Shakti after inspections, ensuring their long-term protection. Officials emphasized that clearing encroachments is key to this goal, which will secure better water management and flood control for the state.