The Forest Department has given nod for the acquisition of 38 hectares of forest lands within Arasampattu Reserve Forest to construct a small dam across Koilmalaiyar river, a tributary of Palar river, at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills in Vellore.
Forest officials said the Arasampattu Reserve Forest (RF) covers an extent of around 5,400 hectares at the foothills of Jawadhu Hills, covering Odugathur and Vellore forest ranges. Of the 59 hectares of land required for the project, 38 hectares have been cleared. The remaining land will be acquired from private landowners in the area.
Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD), which will execute the ₹176.20 crore project, said the acquisition of forest land comprises two stages. The first stage involves the identification of the required land and alternative land. As per norms, twice the required forest land should be provided to the Forest Department as an alternative site. WRD has identified around 76 hectares of land at Vaniyambadi in Tirupattur for the purpose. The site will be used for tree plantation drive under social forestry scheme.
In the second stage, the total quantum of cash compensation will be decided. The process is under way. Along with WRD, revenue officials organised a public hearing meeting with private landowners on June 19 to acquire 17.55 acres of private land for the project. A separate compensation package for private landowners is also being worked out.
WRD officials said that the foundation stone for the project was laid in February. The new small dam was a long-standing demand of farmers and residents in the region, as it is the first facility undertaken by WRD since the opening of the Mordhana dam across the Koundinya river in Gudiyatham town in 2001.
Funded under State Fund 2026, the new small dam will be 310 metres long and 5 metres wide. The total storage capacity of the reservoir will be 74.438 mcft. The dam can reach its full capacity at least twice a year. On an average, the new dam can release a maximum of 19,912 cusecs of water per second. It will also help to feed excess water to five irrigation tanks. Farmers in 14 villages will benefit from the new facility, which will also help to cultivate 1,685 acres of farmland and recharge groundwater in 684 acres in its vicinity.
Published – July 02, 2026 12:18 am IST
