Work is progressing at a fast pace to construct a check dam across Sempoondi Maduvu, a water channel that originates from Kiliyar river in Madurantakam taluk, Chengalpattu district. The storage structure would help feed Sempoondi tank and increase water availability for drinking and irrigation needs in the region.

The first check dam to be constructed across the water channel would help recharge the wells in the neighbouring villages and enhance crop productivity in an ayacut area of nearly 136.81 hectare of land.

Nearly 40% of the work has been completed so far and the Water Resources Department plans to complete the Rs.4.50 crore work by upcoming Southwest monsoon in June.

Officials of the WRD said the 5.20 km long Sempoondi Maduvu originates from Kiliyar river, irrigates lands in villages, including Sempoondi and Pasuvangarai in Acharapakkam block, before joining into Kiliyar river again. The check dam is being built at the 2.3 km point of Sempoondi Maduvu channel. The Kiliyar river also fed floodwater into Madurantakam tank.

The structure would be built for a length of 35 metre and a height of 1.80 metre. It is designed to carry flood discharge of nearly 1,387 cubic feet per second (cusecs). A portion of flood water would be diverted to Sempoondi tank. The work is being implemented under ‘Ungal Thoguthiyil Muthalamaichar’ (Chief Minister in your constituency) scheme with financial aid from NABARD’s (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).

Officials noted that the site was chosen for building a check dam as it has been identified as moderately favourable zone for groundwater recharge. While farmers in the region mainly cultivate paddy, other crops like sugarcane, groundnuts and watermelon are also grown in the villages around the water channel and Sempoondi tank.

The department is also forming three-metre wide flood banks for about two km both in the upstream and downstream portions of the channel near the upcoming check dam. This is to protect the nearby villages from inundation, officials said.