Mrs. Y. Mallika*
* Ph. D., Research Scholar, Holy Cross College (Autonomous), Nagercoil.
Abstract
The irrigation system of Kanyakumari District is days back to Pre-Sangam period. The entire district is endowed with a number of canals and channels. The irrigation system of the district can be divided into natural and man-made. The Kanyakumari District has been normal and pleasant condition to grow a number of crops. Even though the District is very small it accommodates various food and non-food crops growing under different agro climate condition. Though the district has a unique advantage of the rainfall during both the monsoon seasons, it needs irrigation for the development of agricultural products. The irrigational development in Kanyakumari District underwent a series of changes during the course of time. The Vilathurai Lift Irrigation Scheme though started early it was not a success. Hence the Chittar Patanamkal Scheme was brought with greater pressure. This project benefited the people of Vilavancode and the western part of Kalkulam taluks. The hanging trough channel at Mathur benefits the agriculturists of Kalkulam and Vilavancode taluks and attracts tourists. In this article an attempt is made to list out the irrigational developments of Kanyakumari District which are useful to the people of Kanyakumari District.
Introduction
The irrigation system of Kanyakumari District is days back to Pre-Sangam period. The entire district is endowed with a number of canals and channels. The irrigation system of the district can be divided into natural and man made. The Kanyakumari District has been normal and pleasant condition to grow a number of crops. Even though the District is very small it accommodates various food and non-food crops growing under different agro climate condition. Because of its being near to equator its topography and other climatic factors favor the growth of the varied crops. The district has a unique advantage of the rainfall both during the monsoon start from the month of June and ends in September and October to December.
Irrigation Sources
The major river in this district is Thambaraparani (Kuzhithuraiar). It is formed near Thiruvattar by the merger of the Paraliyar and the Kothayar. There were many tributaries to Kodayar. Of which Chittar I and Chittar II are the major tributaries. The origin of the main river Thambaraparani is Western Ghats and the river flows with in Kanyakumari District for a length of 59.2 km and confluences with the Arabian Sea near Thengapattinam, West of Kanyakumari. River Paraliyar originates in the hills on the North of Mahandragiri Mountains at an altitude of 1600 meters above the sea level. It is intercepted by Perunchani Dam. It receives water from Pechiparai Dam through the Left Bank Channel before it reaches the weir called Puthen Dam. Thambraparani is the other name of Kuzhithurai River. The Mullaiyar in Vilavancode taluk is a stream which flow a course of about 11 kms through Kalial, Edaicode and Pacode. It joins the western Thambraparani at Thickurichy near Marthandam.
Early Dams
In ancient days when technology was unknown the Kings built huge dams. These dams are very useful to the people of Kanyakumari District for developing agriculture and for drinking water. The first dam constructed in the district of Kanyakumari was Kallanai. It was constructed in Vannanparai. People used to wash and dry their clothes in these rocks. So it was known as Vannaparai. Next important dam is the Pandian Dam. The area comprising of the taluks of Agastheeswaram and Thovalai is a fertile region. But the average rainfall in this area is very low and by inadequate for the requirements of cultivation. So the Pandian Kings, who were ruling over the country some thousands years ago, constructed the Pandian Dam and the Pandian Kal across the Paralayar in Kalkulam Taluk and utilized the waters of that river for irrigation purpose. This was the first diversion work created in the head reaches of the river Paralayar.
The water of Paralayar was lead into the east flowing Pazhayar River by cutting a leading channel for about 3 k.m length. Both the anicut and the channel go by the name of the King who had provided it. Even today they are known as Pandian Dam and Pandian Kal. The demand for similar water diversion works across Paralayar had gained impetus. A quarter of a mile lower down the Pandian Dam Puthen Dam (New Dam) was built by the year 1750 A.D. Puthen Dam forms the nuclear of the present system of irrigation in the district. Puthan Dam was founded across Paralayar River by the great Travancore King Marthandavarma. A channel was also constructed in connection with the dam called the Padmanabhapuram Puthanar (P. P Channel),
The A.V.M Canal
The canal between Chennankara and Trivandrum was the first of its kind in the erstwhile Travancore State. It was constructed during the period of Dewan Venkata Rao (1821-1839). However, the Ananthan Victorica Marthandavarma Canal popularly known as the A.V.M Canal was the unique work of its kind in the whole of South Travancore. The construction of A.V.M canal was completed in July 1860 A.D during the reign of Uthiram Thirunal Marthandavarma (1846-1860 A.D). The A.V.M Canal prevents salinisation of drinking water sources from Colochal to Kollencode. Further, it helps agriculture and coconut cultivation. It serves as a source of development of the rural economy.
Vilathurai Lift Irrigation Project
Vilathurai Lift Irrigation Project was one of the important schemes in Vilavancode Taluk of Kanyakumari. Irenipuram and the adjacent areas of Vilavancode Taluk were dry and drought hit areas. Drinking water too was very scarce. Mostly, the people of the area were depending upon the rain tanks for agriculture and other purposes. The scheme provides for lifting water from the Kuzhithurai into two stages and supplying water to 71 minor irrigation tanks for irrigation and to neighbouring villages for drinking. The scheme was inaugurated by the then Chief Minister of Madras, K. Kamaraj on 3rd August 1960. The total length of the main canal is 13 miles 2 furlongs 33 feet and that of the branch channel is nearly 28 miles. The water is lifted up to the reservoir in two stages by means of pump sets operated by electricity. One is installed at river site and the other at chain age 1600.
According to this scheme, a pump well has been constructed in the Kuzhithurai River near Vilathurai village. From here water is pumped into reservoir No.1. Two 105 H.P motors and one 100 H.P motor have been installed in this pipe house and the pumped water is carried to Reservoir No.1 by 24″ cast iron piper, the length of which is 1,350.
Neyyar Irrigation Project
The dam reservoir and the Right Bank Cannel are in the Kerala State. The Right Bank Cannel 21 ½ miles long benefits 18000 across entirely in Kerala State. It, the Left Bank Cannel is about 37 miles long. The first 24 miles and 2 furlongs of the canal lie in Kerala State and the remaining 13 miles and 2 furlongs is in Kanyakumari District. The canal, which serves in the erstwhile Madras State, is known as the “Kanyakumari Canal” and it takes off from miles 24 of Neyyar Left Bank Canal. The Kerala State has agreed to maintain a supply of 150 cusecs of water in to this canal near the place at Kaliakkavilai, where the Left Bank Canal enters Madras State. There are six branches take off from the Kanyakumari Canal, the most important and longest of these being is the Mullaiyar Branch. The other branches are Pakode, Mangod, Methukummal, Kollencode and Venganchi.
Chittar Pattanamkal Project
Ever since the area comprising of the Kanyakumari District was transferred to the Madras State in 1956, the government of Madras have been concentrating their attention in implementing several development projects for the advancement of farmers. Pechiparai Dam which serves Kanyakumari District was constructed in the early years of the present century (1905). Because of the age and the methods of concentration adopted in those days, the dam was leaking rather badly in several places. Further, some portions of Vilavancode Taluk in Kanyakumari District do not have even drinking water during the summer. In this area there are numerous small tanks but they were often become dry.
There are still more areas in Vilavancode and Kalkulam Taluks do not have any irrigation facilities. After the Madras government took over, a dam across one of the Chittar River was proposed and the Channels taking off from the Thirupparappu weir across the Kodayar River were proposed to be extended. With the new proposals the whole of the commendable area of Kanyakumari District was expected to be covered by irrigation. The Kanyakumari Branch Canal was opened by K. Kamaraj, the then Chief Minister of Madras State on 25thApril 1963.
The Chittar Pattanamkal Project as approved by government consists of the following works.
i) Raising the F.R.L –of Pechiparai Reservoir by 6’ and increasing its storage by 840 M.cft.
ii) Raising the F.R.L –of Perunchani Reservoir by 6’ and increasing its storage by 590 M.cft.
iii) Construction of two dams across the two Chittar to form 2 reservoirs – One on Chittar I with a gross capacity of 535 M.cft. The other on Chittar II with a capacity of 964 M.cff
iv) A feeder channel from the reservoir on Chittar to the existing Left Bank Canal of the Kodayar System.
v) Improving and lining the Left Bank Canal of Kodayar System to take in the additional flow divert from the two Chittar reservoirs.
vi) Excavation of the new Pattanamkal channel from mile 6/4 of the Left Bank canal of Kodayar system of irrigates 10,000 acres of double crop through a net of distributaries.
vii) Extending the existing two canals taking of from the Thirparappu weir to benefit 5000 acres of double crop including the existing irrigation of 1543 acres.
It is hoped that the people of the area have already welcomed the project and extend their whole hearted support for the early implementation of the scheme and also utilize the irrigation potential fully and quickly. Hence it is believed that the irrigation of dry crops besides benefiting a larger area will produce greater wealth than a wet crop can do. The raising of coconuts and plantains on large scale is also visualized.
Remodeling of Thiruvithancode Channel of the Kodayar Project System
The major irrigation project of Kanyakumari District namely the Kodayar Irrigation Project was originally conceived to serve and to irrigate about 60000 acres of wet-lands consisting of about 25500 Acres of old wet lands and 23000 Acres of dry converted wet lands. The present ayacut that is being irrigated under the Left Bank Channel has the benefit of the storage of two reservoirs. After the take off from the left of the Paralayar River the channel divided into two main branches are known as Pandian Kal and the other known as Padmannabapuram Puthanar (P.P) Channel. The Pandian Kal branches off into four main channels known as Thovalai channel, Anandanar Channel, Pazhayar Channel and Nanjilnad Puthanar Channel. The P.P channel divides into two channels, Thiruvithancode Channel and Erattakarakal Channel.
The present cultivation is reported take nearly one lakh of acres. The ayacut under the projects has increased the cultivation of area. The capacities of the two reservoirs are insufficient to serve the needs of the entire ayacut. The capacity of the main canal in certain section is inadequate to pass down the required discharge. During scarcity periods, especially towards the end of the cultivation season arrangements have been made to pump the dead storage in the Pechiparai Reservoir and tide over the crisis at a very heavy cost. Hence some positive measures are found necessary to put the irrigation system as a whole under better working conditions either by carrying out improvements and remodelling the channels or the feasibility of augmenting the water resources by diverting the flow from the adjoining rivers.
Remodelling of Errattakara Channel
There was much difficulty in serving the needs of ayacut served by the original Kodayar Project to harness the waters of Paralayar and to augment the supplies to the irrigated area. So another dam called the Perunchani Dam was constructed above the Puthan Dam during the first five year plan period to hold 230 Mcft of water. Large quantities of water lost through see page in some canals due to the sandy nature of the terrain, with the result the water does not reach the tail ends. In this case the canals have to be lined with brick or concrete. The Errattakkara Channel is one of the main branches of Padmanabhapuram Puthanar and is 4 miles 3 furlongs long with 9 branches. There are many tanks in the ayacut to improve to cater to the needs of the ayacut and to serve in times of scarcity of supplies.
Special Repairs to L.B.C of Kodayar System
The Kodayar Left Bank Canal in Kanyakumari District is the main channel taking off from the left flank of the Pechiparai Dam is 10 miles and 4 furlong long up to Paralayar. As the channel passes through porous soil, the see page loss was very high and the capacity of the channel was also not adequate to serve the whole ayacut. In May 1959, an estimate for Rs.5.73/ lakhs for remodelling and carrying out repairs and improvements to the Kodayar Left Bank Canal were sanctioned by the government. At present the Kodayar Left Bank Canal has been lined for a length of four miles only. This is taken up under “Medium Irrigation Scheme”. Separate estimate is providing for line the remaining length of the channel so as to eliminate the losses in supplies and to improve the carrying capacity. The proposal is estimated to a cost of Rs. 8,00,500.
Closing Leakage and Strengthening the Pechiparai Dam
Pechiparai Dam across Kodayar in Kanyakumari District was constructed by the former Travancore state at the beginning of the 20th Century. The dam is built of surki concrete bearing and rubble masonry facing. It does not provide for any uplift allowance and grouting appears to the foundation. There is no drainage gallery arrangements are providing in the body of the dam.2 Leakage and cracks were observed in the dam and reported to the former Travancore Cochin Government. Dr. J.D Savage, the American expert inspected the dam and suggested remedial measures. On the general recommendation of the Dr. J.D Savage, the erstwhile Travancore Cochin Government sanctioned an estimation for closing leakage and strengthening the dam. The government sanctioned the revised estimate for 7.07000/- lakhs (Rupees Seven Lakhs and Seven Thousand only) for closing leakages in and stern getting of the Pechiparai Dam across Kodayar in Kanyakumari District.
Mathur Hanging Bridge
The Mathur Hanging Trough is the tallest as well as the longest trough bridge in Asia. It is a drought relief measure across the river Paraliyar. Its purpose is to carry water for irrigation from an elevated level of one hill to another. The irrigation water feeds the taluks of Vilavancode and Kalkulam. The Hanging Bridge or the aqueduct was construed in 1966 by the former Chief Minister of Tamilnadu, K. Kamaraj. This aqueduct is necessitated due to the undulating land terrain of the area which is also adjacent to the hills of the Western Ghats. The trough canal is called Pattanamkal. Mathur Aqueduct is a structure held up by 28 huge pillars, the maximum height of the pillars reaching 115 ft the trough structure is 7 ft in height with a width of 7.5ft. The trough is partly covered on top with concrete slabs allowing people to walk on the bridge and also see the water going through the trough. Some of the pillars are set in rocks of the Paraliyar River, though some five pillars are set in hills on either side.
Soon after the construction of the aqueduct at Mathur, development of sub-tropical fruits and spices in and around Mathur area cultivated under the Western Ghats development programme with Central and State assistance. The important schemes are development of “KEW” variety pineapple, development of hybrid pepper, distribution of hybrid vegetable seeds, Banana Development Scheme, Cashew Development Scheme and distribution of pulses and vegetable minikits. The villages namely Ponmanai, Aruvikkarai, Attoor, Kappiyarai, Valvachagostam, Meykode and Colachel are benefited in Kalakulam Taluk. The villages benefited in the Vilvvancode Taluks are Nallur, Nattalam, Keelmidalam, Keezkerlam, Midalam and Killioor. Mathur has now become a tourist center, a holiday resort, and picnic center. The river is calm and suitable for bathing.
Kodayar Hydro Electric Power Project
A project for utilizing the waters of Kodayar River for the production of electricity has been drawn up. The scheme envisages the construction of two dams the upper and the lower dams twelve diversion rivers, four tunel a Pump House and two Power House Stations with a total installed capacity of 1000,000, K.W. The works connected with the implementation of this project was inaugurated by K. Kamaraj, the then President of the Indian National Congress on the 15th April 1964.
The upper Kodayar basin have a storage capacity of 4197 million cubic feet water stored there will be led to the first power bones through a tunnel of 10,000 feet length and steel, Penstock pipe of about 7340 feet length. This Power House would have a single unit of 60,000 K.W capacity operating at a head of 3192 feet about 100 feet higher than the Pykara Power Station at Nilgiris. Thus it is the highest Head Power Station of Madras grid.
The tail waters of the first Power House will be stored in the lower Kodayar Dam built across the Kodayar River at a level of 960 feet above the sea level. In addition to the tail water the lower Kodayar Dam will impound storage from 11.22 square miles of the lower Kodayar basin and will have a net storage capacity of about 31 million cubic feet. The Second Power House would have a single length and machine of 40,000 K.V. operating at a head of 877 feet. The power generated from these two Power Houses is proposed to be fed in to the Madras grid at Kayathar by a double circuit 110 K.V. line (45 Miles in length).
Benefits of the Scheme:
1. This scheme adds substantial block of Hydro Electric Power
2. This scheme provides additional irrigation facilities to the Kanyakumari District. Due to the storage provided in the higher reaches, the tail race waters from the Power Stations can be stopped during summer months in the existing Kodayar Lake and again utilized for irrigation.
3. This scheme provides facilities for the industrial development of the Kanyakumari District.
Conclusion
The irrigational development in Kanyakumari District underwent a series of changes. The Vilathurai Lift Irrigation Scheme though started early it was not a success. Hence the Chittar Patanamkal Scheme was brought with greater pressure. This project benefited the people of Vilavancode and the western part of Kalkulam taluks. The Hanging Trough Cannel at Mathur benefits the agriculturists of Kalkulam and Vilavancode Taluks and attracts tourists. Thus, after 1956, particularly during the Congress rule, the irrigation projects were given more important which were useful to the people of Kanyakumari. The Kanyakumari District benefitted more out of these developments.
References:
1. Kanyakumari District Gazetteer, Madras, 1995
2. Madras Information, Vol. XII, Madras, 1958.
3. Report, History of Pechipparai Dam Water Resources Organization, Public Works Department, Chennai, 2000.
4. Census of India, Vol. 9, 1961.
5. District Census Hand Book, Kanyakumari District, Madras, 1965.
6. Report from the Commissioner of Thiruvattar Panchayat Union, 1988.
7. Madras State Administration Report, Madras, 1961.
8. Report of the Chief Engineer to the Chief Minister of Madras, 1957.