Open prison gets check dams

The open prison at Nettukaltheri, which had earlier created a unique model in farming, is again setting an example with a handful of projects, ranging from beautification projects to check dams.

 The two check dams, built at the Nettukaltheri prison and Thevancode annexe, will cater to the irrigation needs of the prison, making 320 acres of land suitable for agriculture out of the total 474 acres.

 The check dam at Nettukaltheri was built at a cost of Rs 25 lakh under the supervision of the Irrigation Department. “The dam has the capacity to store 4 crore litres of water,” said S Asok Kumar, prison superintendent. The check dam at Thevancode annexe was constructed at a cost of Rs 45 lakh. “Once the construction of the second phase of the check dam at Thevancode is completed, it will have a storage capacity of 36 crore litres of water,” said the prison superintendent.

 The two check dams will be inaugurated by Water Resources Minister P J Joseph at a function to be held at the prison on Wednesday.

 Along with the check dam, a basketball court,  FM radio system and a water supply project  will also be inaugurated at the function. The water supply project, which has a storage capacity of one lakh litres, was built at a cost of ` 85 lakh.

 At the inaugural function, the foundation stone-laying of a cement brick production unit and brick plastone unit will also be done. The basketball court built at a cost of around ` 7 lakh is intended for the physical and mental well-being of the inmates. Apart from these, FM radios will be installed at all the barracks of the prison for the entertainment of the inmates.

 Another major initiative to be taken up by the prison soon is the solar energy and protection measures. “` 6 crore has been sanctioned for this. We are waiting for the final orders,” said Asok Kumar. The solar energy and protection system would meet the power required to pump the water from the check dam.

 The function to launch various new projects initiated in connection with the golden jubilee of the prison will be inaugurated by Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan.