Lower Bhavani Project Canal Modernization Complete

The renovation of the Lower Bhavani Project (LBP) Canal—an essential irrigation channel serving 2,07,000 acres across Erode, Tiruppur, and Karur districts in Tamil Nadu—has been fully completed, according to officials from the Water Resources Department (WRD).

The 200-km-long canal underwent extensive structural and functional modernisation beginning in 2021 to enhance water-carrying capacity and long-term durability. As part of the upgrade, 523 sluices were constructed—114 along the main canal and 409 on its distribution network. To prevent erosion, protection and slope walls were built along 151.52 km (35 km on the main canal and 116.52 km on distribution canals).

Infrastructure improvements included the construction or renovation of 10 bridges, 129 drainage culverts, nine aqueducts, three aqueduct-cum-outlets, one canal syphon, and a regulator. Additionally, 22 regulators were installed on distribution canals, along with 450 drop structures to manage elevation changes, and 22 road pipe culverts.

Executive Engineer P. Thirumoorthy confirmed that a significant leakage at the 13.5th mile has been repaired. As a result, the water release from the Lower Bhavani Dam into the canal has been increased to 1,500 cusecs.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.