Necessity Of Paravanar Diversion By NLCIL – Why Now?

New Delhi, July 31: Paravanar is the main river in NLCIL’s Mine-2 area, which handles storm water from the villages viz., Arasakuzhi, Mudhanai, Kombadikuppam, Iruppukurichi, Narimanam and Kotteri and also the storm water from Neyveli and its township, Mines, Power plants and surrounding villages.

During peak monsoon periods, when the volume of the storm water exceeds the handling capacity of the said river, it used to cause inundation of surrounding fields and the villages. Considering the above, during 2005, NLCIL with the approvals and help from the district administration and state government, established a major water way by taking up widening, deepening and formation of protective bunds on both sides.

After the above canal work, as and when mining advancement took place, the river course of Paravanar used to be diverted temporarily. In order to avoid such temporary diversions, a permanent diversion was conceptualised for a length of 12 Kms. The lands required for this permanent diversion had been acquired in stages during the period between 2006 and 2013 by paying the requisite land compensation as per norms. Of this permanent diversion, already a stretch of 10.5 kms river formation had been completed, leaving a small stretch of 1.5 kms near Melvalayamadevi.

In the above milieu, in the event of incessant and high intensity rain and if any breach on the village side of the canal occurs, it may cause severe flooding of the dwelling and agricultural lands, as the present temporary portion of Paravanar may not be sufficient enough to handle the peak water flow during the ensuing monsoon. Further, the present Mine-2 cut face is just 60 metres from the present Paravanar temporary canal and it may cause severe flooding of Mine-2, endangering the men and machineries of the Mines.

Further, on completion of the present canal formation of Paravanar, all the agricultural fields along this permanent alignment will get copious water for irrigation perennially and may even gain water for irrigation beyond the present level of 25,000 acres for 2 to 3 crops per year, including the downstream portion up to Bhuvanagiri.

While carrying out the present work, a small stretch of irrigated land happened to get affected. Though applicable compensation had already been paid a long back, the physical possession of land could not be taken due to the resistance of the land owners and they continued cultivation. They were constantly informed of the requirement of land for permanent diversion works of Paravanar. Since the criticality of Mine-2 cut face reached just 60 metres off the present Paravanar course, the urgency of completing the permanent river course of Paravanar has arisen keeping in view of the fast approaching monsoon. Hence, the concerned land owners were informed well in advance not to commence new crop. But, being a responsible entity, NLCIL has come forward to pay handsome compensation to the farmers. In this connection, towards crop compensation, NLCIL has already handed over the cheques to district administration, in the names of the individual. Facilitating the diversion of the river at the earliest is of prime importance taking safety of all the nearby areas and Mines.