G.O. (Ms.) No. 6, Construction of 20,000 Check Dams under MGNREGS, 2018
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department issued G.O. (Ms.) No. 6 on 5 January 2018, permitting 20,000 check dams to be constructed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme during 2017-18 at a total cost of Rs.250.36 crore. The government also approved guidelines covering the objectives, types, site selection and construction of the check dams.
What the government approved
G.O. (Ms.) No. 6 of the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department, dated 5 January 2018, approves construction of 20,000 check dams under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for 2017-18. The approved programme comprises:
- 2,000 cement concrete check dams.
- 9,300 boulder check dams.
- 8,700 gabion check dams.
- Total approved cost of Rs.250.36 crore.
The estimates are based on standard designs. Designs and measurements must be adjusted to actual site conditions with economy in mind, savings must be accounted for under standard procedure, and proper Geographic Information System tagging must be completed.
Purpose and locations
The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj (CGS.1) Department guidelines describe check dams as barriers built across streams, channels or waterways. They slow surface water, retain it for longer, support groundwater recharge and reduce soil erosion.
The stated objectives include improving nearby soil moisture and fertility, recharging aquifers, trapping coarse and medium sediment, supporting livestock and certain village uses, and providing drinking water facilities in villages on both sides of a river after the monsoon period, depending on location and potential.
The three approved types are intended for different terrain:
- Boulder check dams in hilly or sloping areas.
- Gabion structures on steeper slopes.
- Concrete check dams in plain areas.
Boulder check dam requirements
The annexed guidelines specify that a boulder check dam may serve a catchment area of less than 5 hectares. Its middle height should be 1 metre above ground level, and it must not be built where the stream bed slope is above 1 in 5.
Construction requirements include clearing mud or sand at the base to a depth of 0.25 metre, placing larger boulders on the outside and smaller stones inside, and preferring angular boulders for stability. The centre of the dam should be lower than its ends so water can pass through the middle.
Who may be affected
The programme is directed to District Collectors outside Chennai and Project Directors of District Rural Development Agencies. Rural owners or users near selected streams, channels and waterways may be affected by local construction, water retention and groundwater recharge. G.O. (Ms.) No. 6 does not identify individual survey numbers, parcels or specific check dam sites.
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Common questions
Does G.O. (Ms.) No. 6 identify land or survey numbers for check dam construction?
No individual land parcels, survey numbers or specific check dam sites are identified in the supplied text. It provides programme approval and general technical guidelines.
How many check dams were approved and what was the total cost?
The government approved 20,000 check dams at a total cost of Rs.250.36 crore, comprising 2,000 cement concrete, 9,300 boulder and 8,700 gabion check dams.
Can a boulder check dam be built on any stream slope?
No. The guidelines state that a boulder check dam must not be constructed where the bed slope is above 1 in 5.
What benefits are the check dams intended to provide?
They are intended to slow and retain surface water, recharge groundwater, reduce soil erosion, trap sediment and improve soil moisture and fertility in adjoining areas. Depending on the site, stored water may also support villagers and livestock.
