The Water Resources Department (WRD) has initiated works on construction of a check dam across Uppar Odai in Periyakumarapalayam village in Dharapuram Taluk.
Construction of the check dam has been planned at a cost of ₹7.98 crore, measuring 1.2 metres in height and 90 metres in length. It is located about 14 km upstream of Uppar Dam.
The new check dam was sanctioned in deference to the long-time demand of the farmers in Periyakumarapalayam, State Minister for Information and Publicity M.P. Saminathan said, initiating the works along with Minister for Human Resource Management N. Kayalvizhi Selvaraj.
The check dam, Executive Officer of Water Resources Department, said, will serve the purpose of controlling and reversing the high extent of salinity in the ground water in the area in the long run.
Though the construction requires one year for completion, the task will be carried out well in advance, the official said.
Besides, Periyakumarapalayam, the structure will also accord a thrust for farming activities in Navanari, Poolavadi, Munduvelampatti and Kundadam villages
According to the officials, water to the extent of 1.45 mcft could be stored thrice in a year in the check dam, thereby bringing to utility 4.35 mcft for irrigation and drinking water purposes.
The structure will re-charge water in 187 open wells, and 33 borewells in the surroundings, benefitting 1,432 residents in Navanari village, 2,177 in Periyakumarapalayam village, and 4,199 residents in Munduvelampatti village, officials said.
The two Ministers and senior WRD officials also inspected the check dam constructed across the Uppar Odai at Navanari village at a cost of ₹7.58 crore, and holding water to the brim currently.
Published – December 23, 2025 08:43 pm IST
