Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) has once again remained on the forefront of innovation. Researchers at the prestigious institution have designed and oversaw the construction across Palar River in Tamilnadu which led to significant increase in storage of surplus rainwater in the river.

Nearly one TMC of water can be conserved and this can increase the groundwater potential along sand strata.

IIT-M designed check dam enhances rainwater storage

Palar River supplies drinking water to Chennai, Vellore and Kanchipuram. However, the climate change in the recent years led to water shortage in the region. Construction of a check dam was proposed to prevent intrusion of sea water and also to overcome water shortage.

Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) approached Professor R. Sundaravadivelu, Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras to evolve an innovative design concept with faster construction technology at a lesser cost.

The check dam was constructed at Valuer, located at the tail end of the river. The construction work on the innovative check dam began in March last year and was completed by August much before the commencement of the monsoon.

IIT-M designed check dam enhances rainwater storage

That is not all. The innovative design of IIT-Madras also led to a savings of nearly Rs 4.95 crore for the project which was funded by Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) under its corporate social responsibility scheme.

Sources from IIT-M further said while the conventional weir-type check dam costs around Rs 82 crore, this project was completed at a cost of Rs 32.5 crore in a time frame of six months.

Sundaravadivelu said the main function of the check dam is to obstruct the flow of water and create a pending to conserve the rainwater that allows infiltration to the Aquifer beneath to improve the groundwater levels.