Sat Feb 22 14:47:38 UTC 2025: ## New Regulator to Combat Seawater Intrusion in Nagapattinam
**Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu, February 22, 2025** – Construction has begun on a ₹49.5 crore regulator across the Vettar River in Uthamachozhapuram, Nagapattinam district. The project, spearheaded by the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department, aims to prevent seawater intrusion and conserve freshwater for irrigation, benefiting over 2,040 acres of farmland and 20 villages.
The Vettar River, a vital irrigation source and drainage channel, currently suffers from seawater intrusion reaching the existing Odacheri regulator, impacting groundwater and agricultural productivity. The new regulator will extend protection 11.49 km further inland, mitigating salinity issues in villages including Kadambankudi, Vilambakkam, and Nagore.
The project, involving the construction of 28 sluice gates, is expected to conserve approximately 87.65 million cubic feet of water and improve flood management. Completion is slated for February 20, 2027.
While officials hailed the project as a long-term solution to water conservation and coastal salinity, some farmers expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on their land and drinking water sources. Following assurances that their concerns would be addressed, the farmers dispersed. The project is expected to significantly improve the agricultural output and water security in the region.
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