A greening drive was launched along the Periyakottai Agazhi (moat) in Thanjavur on Saturday as part of the initiative to clean up and beautify the moats in the town.
The Periyakottai Agazhi in the north alangam had been heavily silted over the years and garbage was being dumped in it. Dumping of garbage has since been stopped. A proposal has been forwarded to the Asian Development Bank seeking an assistance of Rs. 200 crore for the renovation of the moats.
Meanwhile, the district administration has launched a drive to clean up and beautify the moats, including those around the Big Temple. A public initiative had been announced and about Rs. 10 lakh raised through donations under the Self-Sufficiency Scheme. The clean up initiative would be executed with contributions from the State government too. A convergence of various line departments, including the Tourism Department and the Thanjavur City Corporation, is envisaged under the programme. District Collector N. Subbaiyan, who launched the greening drive by planting a sapling in the presence of K. Parasuraman, MP, and Savithri Gopal, Mayor, said steps were taken to remove the silt accumulation in the Periyakottai Agazhi and fill it with water from the Kallanai Kalvai.
According to him, the moats would have water right through the year to serve as a tourist attraction in the town. The district administration was planning to introduce pleasure boating service too on the moat. A walkway with artificial fountains and decorative lighting was planned. The works were expected to be completed within the next couple of months, Mr. Subbaiyan said.
