Tamil Nadu Assembly: Water Resources Department to build 27 check dams in State to conserve floodwater

The Water Resources Department (WRD) in Tamil Nadu has announced plans to build 27 check dams across 13 districts to conserve floodwater and recharge groundwater, with the project costing ₹206.75 crore. WRD Minister N. Anand announced this during a discussion on the Demands for Grants for the WRD in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on August 19, 2026.

One check dam will be built near Melapalayam village in Karur district, while two bed dams will be constructed in Madurai districts to arrest riverbed erosion. The minister invited MLAs to participate in monthly meetings with WRD officials to discuss issues in their constituencies and find immediate solutions. The department will also carry out 96 works to repair, renovate, and restore waterbodies and channels in 30 districts, including Tiruchi, at a cost of ₹695.42 crore.

Additionally, 1,628 artificial groundwater recharge structures will be installed across 35 districts at a cost of ₹28.9 crore. Disaster management measures will include constructing flood protection walls along the Adyar River in Chennai, with works near Jaffarkhanpet covering the Adyar River costing ₹25 crore. The department will also restore dam infrastructure in 11 districts, repair seawalls in north Chennai, and prepare an impact assessment report on existing schemes.

Rural development and panchayat raj department announced 46 other measures, including road improvements, pond creation, citizen participation mobile app development, rural development scheme performance assessment, and restoration of 7,500 km of inlet and irrigation channels in rural areas, among others.