A substantial portion of the renovation of the Grand Anicut (GA) Canal under phase-II of the Extension, Renovation and Modernisation project has been completed and the project would be fully completed by mid-2026, according to sources in the Water Resources Department.

The second phase of the project includes two packages in Thanjavur district, sanctioned at an estimated cost of ₹173.19 crore, and four packages in Pudukottai district, being executed at an estimate of ₹273.81 crore.

The regulator at Merpanaikadu and the Villuniyaru aqueduct at Vallavari and the Maruthankudiyaru aqueduct at Arasarkulam were being renovated under the project.

Pudukottai Collector M. Aruna, who inspected the progress of renovation works on the canal recently, instructed officials to expedite and complete the works within the stipulated time.

Sources in the WRD said the renovation of the GA canal would help the water released for irrigation from Kallanai reach the tail-end areas in Thanjavur and Pudukottai district swiftly. Though the works had to be suspended now due to release of water for irrigation in the canal, they would be completed before the project schedule by June 30, 2026.