Sat Apr 05 13:21:55 UTC 2025: **Tamil Nadu to Explore Linking Papanasam and Manimuthar Dams**
TIRUNELVELI, April 5, 2025 – The long-standing demand to link the Papanasam and Manimuthar dams in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, is moving closer to reality. Minister for Water Resources S. Durai Murugan has directed officials to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) to explore the feasibility of connecting the two reservoirs. This would allow surplus water from one dam to supplement the other.
The proposal, championed by Tirunelveli MLA Nainar Nagenthran (BJP), addresses a decades-old need of the farming community. While the dams lie within the Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR), requiring central government approval, Mr. Nagenthran has assured he will secure the necessary permissions.
The minister’s instruction to prepare the DPR signals the state government’s serious intent to proceed with the project. The meeting also covered the immediate commencement of work on several other water resource projects, including the renovation of three check dams, totaling over ₹40 crore in investment. These projects were recently announced in the state assembly.
The review meeting, held in Palayamkottai, included the Tirunelveli Collector, R. Sukumar, and senior officials from the Water Resources Department. The minister emphasized the need for swift action on desilting eight irrigation channels under the Tamirabharani Irrigation Scheme.
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