Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government today announced a preliminary project proposal for the improvement and rehabilitation of the irrigation systems in the Cauvery basin at a cost of Rs 11,420 crore.

Informing the Assembly, the State PWD Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami, said the proposal has been sent to the Centre for clearance. “The Central Water Commission (CWC) has accorded in-principle clearance for the preparation of Detailed Project Report (DPR),” he said.

The water management project proposal aimed at improving and rehabilitating the systems in the Delta areas such as Cauvery sub-basin, Vennar sub-basin, lower coleroon sub-basin and other systems of Kattalai high level canal projects among others.

In the first phase, it is proposed to take up the work in the grand anicut canal system. The report has been prepared with the help of Wapcos Company, a Government of India undertaking, he said.

“The climate change adaptation programme in Cauvery delta will also be undertaken with a loan assistance from the Asian Development Bank. By executing this scheme, protection of the coastal areas in the Cauvery delta will be ensured,” he said adding that the estimated project cost would be Rs. 1,500 crore.