Lok Sabha Question No. 293 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-07-19
Subject: Modernisation of Grand Anicut Canal Project
Ministry: WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANAGA REJUVENATION
Asked by: R.K. BHARATHI MOHAN

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 293

ANSWERED ON 19.0 7.201 8

## MODERNISATION OF GRA ND ANICUT CANAL PROJ ECT

293. SHRI BHARATHI MOHAN R.K.

Will the Minister of WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT AND GANGA REJUVENATION be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Union Government has received any request from the State Government of Nadu for the approval and sanction of funds for the extension , renovation and modernization of Grand Anicut Canal and the linking of the rivers Cauvery - Vaigai - Gundar projects in the State;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the current status of these proposed projects;

(c) whether there is any inordinate delay in according approval to such projects in Tamil Nadu; and (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government to accord a such projects which are pending for many years?

## ANSWER

## THE  MINISTER  OF  STATE  FOR  WATER  RESOURCES, RIVER  DEVELOPMENT  AND GANGA REJUVENATION & PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS

## ( SHRI ARJUN RAM MEGHW AL )

(a) to (d) The Union Government has received request from State Government of Tamil Nad 'Extension, Renovation and Modernization (ERM) of Grand Anicut Canal System'. The proposal was accepted by the Investment Committee of Ministry of Water Resources, River Developmen Ganga Rejuvantion (MoWR, RD & GR) in its 6th meeting held on 05.05.2017. Earlier,  this project was accepted by Advisory Committee of MoWR, RD & GR  in  its 130th  meeting held on 30.09.2016 for a cost of Rs. 2298.75 Crore at Price Level(PL) 2014 - 15. This ERM project is part of 9 cluster of projects for 'Improvements and Rehabilitation of Irrigation Systems in Cauvery Basin for efficient Wate r Management,  for which  'In Principle' clearance for  preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR) was conveyed to Project Authority.  The remaining set of 8 DPRs as latest  Guidelines  for  Submission,  Appraisal  and  Acceptance  of  Irrigation  and  Mul tipurpose Projects, 2017 have not been received from the State Government for techno - economic appraisal.

Regarding Cauvery - Vaigai - Gundar link, the Feasibility Report of this link project envi under the Peninsular Component of National Perspective Plan for Water Resources Development was completed by National Water Development Agency in December 2004 and was circulated the concerned States.

Further a scheme 'Linking of Cauvery with Agniyar, south Vellar, Pambar, Manimuthur, Vagai and Gundur rivers', with estimated cost of Rs. 5166 crore was received in Central Water Commission  (CWC)  field  unit  during  March  2012  and  the  comments  were  sent  to  the  St Government  in  May  2012.  In  compliance,  the  State  Government  submitted  the  revised  sch eme namely 'Excavation of Flood Carrier Canal from Cauvery (Kattalai Barrage) to Manimuthur, Vagai and  Gundur  rivers  (Phase -I  &II).  The  comments  on  the  revised  scheme  were  sent  to  the  Sta Government in August 2012. Response of the State Government on com ments of CWC have not been received.

Further, the State Government has reported in April 2015 that this scheme is now considered to posed under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP) and according DPR is proposed in phases incorporatin g the guidelines of new Land Acquisition Act and adopting current Schedule of Rates. In view of more than a year delay in submission of compliance to  CWC observations, as per the appraisal guidelines, the scheme is brought under  'Returned to State ' category from 'Awaited for appraisal' category. No further DPR/Proposal has been received from State Government.

*****