Kalingarayan Canal

Kalingarayan Canal
Specifications
Length 56.5 miles (90.9 km)
Status open
History
Date completed 1283 (1283)
Geography
Branch of Bhavani River

Kalingarayan Canal is a 56.2-mile (90.5 km) long irrigation canal in the Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. It was constructed by Kongu chieftain Kalingarayan and completed in 1283. The canal's source is the Kalingarayan Anicut dam near Bhavani, Erode. The canal irrigates approximately 15,743 acres (6,371 ha) of agricultural land.[1]

Construction

Construction of the irrigation project, including the canal and the Kalingarayan Anicut dam started in 1271 and was completed in 1283, taking over 12 years.[2]

Course and architecture

The canal connects Bhavani and Noyyal rivers, two major tributaries of the Kaveri. It is one of the oldest river linking projects in India.[3] [4] The Canal starts at Kalingarayan Anicut on Bhavani river and joins Noyyal river near Kodumudi. The canal is 56 miles (90 km) long and was designed to reduce the water current, to avoid damage to the canal banks and to increase the ground water table.[5] The canal crosses three other canals via aqueducts.[6]

Environmental Threats

As the canal runs through the industrialized and urbanized areas of Erode Municipal Corporation, the discharge of untreated effluents from the textile dyeing units and leather tanneries introduce major pollutants.[9] To prevent mixing of sewage into the canal, the Government of Tamil Nadu have built concrete walls on the sides and a baby canal of 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) has been constructed alongside the main canal to carry the sewage.[10] [11] Also, navigable roads were developed along the banks throughout this stretch.[12] [13]

See also

References

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