PWD to repair damaged check dams, construct 3 new ones

Coimbatore: Some of the dilapidated and damaged check dams in the district are all set to get a makeover soon. An official source with the public works department (PWD) said they would start repair works on seven damaged check dams at the earliest. He said plans were also afoot to construct three new check dams in the district.
The source said they have sent the state government a proposal of Rs 2.47crore to repair five check dams in the district. “Of this, Rs 1.47crore is to repair and renovate four check dams in Kurumbapalayam and Kumittipathi areas, while Rs 1 crore is to repair the check dam near L&T bypass.”

The official said the proposal was with the state government and they were expecting approval by December-end. After the proposal is approved, we would start the processes to float tenders to choose a firm to hand over the repair work, the official said.

The source also said they were preparing a proposal for Rs 1.5 crore to repair a big check dam at Sengathurai. “We will send the proposal to Chennai soon for approval.”

Of the six check dams in Kumitipathi and Kurumbapalayam areas, some were already in a dilapidated condition while the remaining were damaged in the flood following the heavy rain in September. Check dams in Kurumbalapayam North, Kurumbapalayam South and Palathurai were damaged in the flood, the official said.

In addition to repairing the damaged check dams, PWD would also construct three new check dams in the district. While one would come up in Kumittipathi, the remaining two would come up in Thekkampatti and Kemmarampalayam in Mettupalayam taluk, the source said.

“Of the proposed three new check dams, the state government has given approval for the one at Kumittipathi and the tender has almost been finalized, the official said. “The dam is estimated to cost Rs 88 lakh. We have almost finalised the tender to a firm, which would take up the construction work. Paperwork is underway.”

The cost for the check dam at Thekampatti is estimated at Rs 1 crore, while the Kemmarampalayam dam project cost is pegged at Rs 1.46 crore. The tender process for both the projects was in progress, the official said. Planning and design officials with the department would visit the two areas to conduct surveys and they would finalize the place to construct check dams based on the technical feasibility, the source said.