IIT-M roped in for reservoir project.

With the project to create a reservoir at Thervoy Kandigai approaching a significant stage, the Water Resources Department (WRD) has sought recommendations from IIT-Madras for the design of a bund.

Work is under way to form the fifth reservoir by merging water bodies in Thervoy Kandigai and Kannan Kottai in Tiruvallur district, at a cost of Rs. 330 crore.

Construction of the 7.1-km-long bund is the primary part of work to create the reservoir to meet the city's growing water needs, said officials of WRD.

In a bid to ensure strength of the bund, the department has roped in a three-member team of the Geotechnical Engineering Division, IIT-M, to explore various options for its construction.

A WRD official said the team from IIT-M was being consulted for measures to be provided to control seepage from the earthen bund and also for reviewing the data of soil tests that are being conducted.

R.G. Robinson, who is part of the IIT-M team, said the soil condition in the area would be studied to provide recommendations on the depth and materials to be used to result in a stable bund.

The team is set to submit a report in a few days to enable the bund to be built in five months.

About 30 per cent of the work, including construction of a canal to bring water from Kandaleru Poondi canal, and bridges, has been completed so far. The entire project is set to be completed in mid-2015.


THE HINDU