G.O. (Ms.) No. 261, Special Repairs to Peranai Regulator and Periyar Main Canal Head Sluice, 2011

What the government approved

The Public Works (W1) Department, through Government Order (Ms.) No. 261 dated 15 December 2011, gave administrative sanction for irrigation repair works estimated at Rs.3,00,00,000. The works cover the Peranai Regulator and the Periyar Main Canal head sluice at Anaipatti village in Nilakkottai Taluk of Dindigul District.

The estimate was prepared using the schedule of rates for 2010-2011, with provision for escalation during 2011-2012.

Why the repairs were proposed

The Water Resources Department reported that the Peranai Regulator was constructed across the Vaigai river in 1899 and that its steel shutters were fitted during 1898. No major repair work had subsequently been carried out on the shutter arrangements.

The reported problems included:

• Badly corroded and deteriorated shutters.
• Completely corroded guide channels.
• Gear arrangements requiring repair.
• Damaged steel ropes and Stoney Roller arrangements requiring replacement.
• Six corroded double shutters at the Periyar Main Canal head sluice requiring replacement with single shutters.

Main works covered

Government Order (Ms.) No. 261 authorises the following components:

• Repair and renewal of old corroded shutters at the Peranai Regulator.
• Installation of rubber seals to prevent leakage.
• Removal and refitting of groove channel arrangements and stiffener flats.
• Removal, reconditioning and refitting of geared wheels.
• Provision of steel rope.
• Repair and renewal of Stoney type roller guides.
• Replacement of the old vertical geared double shutters at the Periyar Main Canal head sluice with new single shutters.

Funding and administration

The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development approved the project as one of 12 irrigation schemes. It provides Rs.285.00 lakh, representing 95 per cent of the project cost, while the state provides Rs.15.00 lakh, representing 5 per cent.

The Engineer-in-Chief, Water Resources Department, is the estimating, reconciling and controlling authority for the new account sub-head. The expenditure was classified as a New Service requiring later legislative approval. Pending that approval, the document states that expenditure would initially be met through an advance from the Contingency Fund, subject to separate Finance Department orders.

Relevance to property owners

Government Order (Ms.) No. 261 concerns funding and administration of irrigation infrastructure repairs. It does not state that private land will be acquired, transferred, reclassified or subjected to new property restrictions.