Karur Collector M. Thangavel and Krishnarayapuram MLA K. Sivagamasundari on a boat at Ponnaniyar Dam on Monday.
Pleasure boating service has been launched at Ponnaniyar Dam situated on the border of Karur-Tiruchi districts. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin inaugurated the service through video conference from Chennai on Monday.
While the dam and its catchment area are located in Karur district, the ayacut area of the dam is spread over Mugavanur panchayat and neighbouring villages in Tiruchi district.
Although pleasure boating ride was in operation in the dam once, it was discontinued several years ago.
The State government has now reintroduced the service with a couple of boats. The necessary infrastructure, including the boat jetty and a restaurant, has been developed at a cost of ₹2.05 crore. Following the inauguration of the service by the Chief Minister, Collector M. Thangavel and Krishnarayapuram MLA K. Sivagamasundari took a ride on a boat in the dam.
Set in sylvan surroundings, Ponnaniyar dam is nestled between Perumal Malai and Semmalai. Situated about 65 km from Tiruchi, it was built in 1974 and rain flow from Kadavur region is its main water source. The catchment area is spread over 33.60 sq miles. The dam has a storage capacity of 120 million cubic feet (mcft) and has an ayacut of about 2,100 acres in Mugavanur, Sekkanam, and Pazhayakottai villages.
Published – October 13, 2025 04:47 pm IST
