Lok Sabha Question No. 486 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-06
Subject: Water Heritage Structures in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Dr. M K Vishnu Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 486

ANSWERED ON 06.02.2025

## WATER HERITAGE STRUCTURES IN TAMIL NADU

## 486. DR. M K VISHNU PRASAD

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a) whether it is a fact that four Water Heritage Structures (WHSs) have been identified from the State of Tamil Nadu during Amrit Mahotsav;

- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  the  efforts  made/being  made  by  the  Government  in  coordination  with  the  State  Government  to maintain/upgrade WHSs in Tamil Nadu;
- (d) whether any funds have been allocated by the Government for WHSs in 2024-25 Budget, with a particular reference to Tamil Nadu; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) As  part  of  the  Azadi  Ka  Amrit  Mahotsav  celebrations,  the  National  Water  Mission  under  the Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti  has  identified  seventy-five  ancient  water conservation  structures across India, designating  them  as  'Water  Heritage  Structures'  (WHSs).  Notably,  out  of  these  75  WHSs,  07  have  been identified from Tamil Nadu. The details of these seven WHSs identified from Tamil Nadu are as follows:

| S.No.   | Name of the Structure                     | Location                           | Location            | Location                      |
|---------|-------------------------------------------|------------------------------------|---------------------|-------------------------------|
|         |                                           | Village/Town                       | District            | State                         |
| 1       | Kallanai Dam (Grand Anicut on the Kaveri) | Thanjavur                          | Thanjavur           | Tamil Nadu                    |
| 2       | Veeranam Tank                             | Veeranandhapuram                   | Cuddalore           | Tamil Nadu                    |
| 3       | Kalingarayan Anicut                       | Mettunasuvampalayam / Bhavani      | Erode               | Tamil Nadu                    |
| 4       | Lower Anicut                              | Anaikarai                          | Thanjavur           | Tamil Nadu                    |
| 5       | Buckingham Canal (Kommamur Canal)         |                                    |                     | Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh |
| 6       | Noyyal River System Tanks                 | Several locations along the Noyyal | Coimbatore, Tirupur | Tamil Nadu                    |
| 7       | Vandiyur Mariamman Teppakulam             | Vandiyur                           | Madurai             | Tamil Nadu                    |

(c) Water  is  a  State  subject,  and  the  Central  Government  supports  State  efforts  through  technical  and financial  assistance.  In  this  regard,  the  National  Water  Mission,  Ministry  of  Jal  Shakti,  has  requested  State Governments to take necessary action for the conservation and restoration of these structures. States have been requested to take necessary action in this regard in consultation with the State Archaeological Departments, relevant agencies and district administration, after identifying the appropriate nodal agency.

- (d) No.
- (e) Does not arise.

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