English version of the News coverage from The Dinamalar, a Tamil News paper from Chennai.

THIRUVALLUR

The renovation work on Teluga Ganga Canal, from the Andhra Border, Zero point to Poondi reservoir commenced today with Bhoomi Pooja and other rituals. Representatives of Sri Sathya Sai Trust, Officials from Larsen & Toubro, and officials from Andhra Pradesh Government participated in the function.

The Telugu Ganga project was started in the year 1983. The water from Krishna Riverâ is first diverted and stored in Kandaleru reservoir, and from there, by canal the water reaches Poondi reservoir in Tamil Nadu. Since the canal was in bad shape, the much needed drinking water was being wasted. Realising this, Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba undertook the task of relaying of the canal from Kandaleru reservoir to Zero point, at the cost of about Rs.200 crores. The seepage and leakages were averted, and the time that took for water to reach Zero point was reduced from 15 days to just 5 days. However, the canal within Tamil Nadu area, from the Zero point to the Poondi reservoir had been damaged considerably, and the water could not freely flow into the reservoir, in addition to severe loss of water.

Responding to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, Kalaignor Karunanidhiâ??s request, during a felicitation ceremony held in Chennai last January, Sri Sathya Sai Baba gave an assurance that He would undertake the restoration work of the canal from zero point to Poondi Reservoir.

Accordingly the canal restoration was inaugurated yesterday morning by 9 AM near the village Atrambakam, With bhoomi Pooja, and other rituals. Bhajans were sung by Sai devotees in front of the life size portrait of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. Vedic pundits conducted Havans (Homams), and other pooja rituals. The members of renovation work committee of Sri Sathya Sai Trust, The Executive President of M/s. Larsen & Toubro Ltd., and top high officials of Tamil Nadu Public works Department participated in the inaugural function.

The chief coordinator of the Renovation project who is also the Chief Engineer of Tamil Nadu Sri Govindraj spoke on the occasion. He said Sri Sai Baba has undertaken this task to give pure drinking water for the residents of Chennai city. On behalf of Government of Tamil Nadu , he thanked Baba profusely. Subsequently the CEO of M/s. Larsen & Toubro Ltd., Sri. K.V.Rangaswami, said Sai Baba honoured us by awarding the contract of Telegu Ganaga restoration work in Andhra Pradesh. Baba has blessed us once again by giving the work in Tamil Nadu area also. We will complete this work in a very good manner. â??We have undertaken several projects in association with the Chief Engineer of TN., Sri Govindaraju during last 19 years. We hope that he will offer all possible cooperation in completing this project also, he said. "A member of Sri Sathya Sai Trust, and also the former CEO of M/s. Larsen & Toubro Ltd., while speaking said, "With a noble task of providing pure drinking water to the residents of Chennai city, Sri Sathya Sai Baba, renovated the Teluga Ganga Canal from Kandaleru Reservoir to Zero point. When Baba visited Chenai recently, Chief Minister Karunanidhi requested Sri Sathya Sai Baba, to undertake the renovation work of the canal in the Tamil Nadu sector also. Sai Baba accepted this request. We discussed the project with the Chief Minister, and also various officials of Tamil Nadu Government. Every had assured us of their best cooperation. The first stage of the project will be completed within 3 months from now."

How is the renovation work to be carried out? From zero point to the Poondi Reservoir the canal is 25 kilometers long. During the last two month elaborate survey work was carried out, to identity the areas where there are much damages in the canal. 39 locations had been identified as mostly damaged area. The work is to be carried out in 3 stages. Since water will be released from Kandaleru reservoir within 3 months , the first stage of work has to be completed within 3 months at a rapid speed.

Later on depending upon the arrival of water, second stage of the work will be undertaken. In addition to a large work force of 1500 labourers, various construction machineries, concrete paving machines, a large canopy of trucks have been mobilized in the site

Sai Ram.

Emailed by Bombay Srinivasan on 15.05.2007