Mathur Aqueduct

Mathur Aqueduct

Mathur Hanging Trough
Length of flume	1240 ft (378 m)
Width	7.5 ft (2.3 m)
Height of trough	7 ft (2.1 m)
Velocity	5.1 ft/s (1.55 m/s)
Discharge	204 ft³/s (5.8 m³/s)
No. of span pillars	28
Length of span	40 ft (12.2 m)
Bed level, trough at start	91 in (2.31 m)
Bed level, trough at end	90 in (2.29 m)
Maximum height above ground level	115 ft (35 m)
Construction cost	Rs. 12.90 lakhs (Rs. 1,290,000, US$27,446.80) - in 1966

Mathur Aqueduct or Mathur Hanging Trough, is an Aqueduct in Southern India, in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu state.[Coordinates: 8°20'9"N 77°17'41"E] Built over the Pahrali River (also called Parazhiyar), it takes its name from Mathur, a hamlet near the Aqueduct, which is at a distance of about 3 kilometres from Thiruvattar town and about 60 km from Kanyakumari, the southernmost town of India. It is one of the longest and highest aqueducts in South Asia and is also a popular tourist spot in Kanyakumari District.

Purpose

The Aqueduct was constructed in 1966 by the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, K. Kamaraj, as a drought relief measure across the river Pahrali. Its purpose is to carry water for irrigation from an elevated level of one hill to another. The irrigation water feeds the taluks of Vilavancode and Kalkulam.

Construction

Mathur Aqueduct - one of the largest Aqueducts in Asia

The Aqueduct is built across the Pahrali river, a small river that originates in the Mahendragiri Hills of the Western Ghats. Mathur Aqueduct itself carries water of the Pattanamkal canal for irrigation over the Pahrali river, from one hill to another, for a distance of close to one kilometer. This Aqueduct is necessitated due to the undulating land terrain of the area, which is also adjacent to the hills of the Western Ghats.

Mathur Aqueduct is a concrete structure held up by 28 huge pillars, the maximum height of the pillars reaching 115 ft. The trough structure is 7 ft in height, with a width of 7.5 ft. The trough is partly covered on top with concrete slabs, allowing people to walk on the bridge and also see the water going through the trough. Some of the pillars are set in rocks of the Pahrali river, though some of the pillars are set in hills on either side.

Road access allows one to drive in to one side of the Aqueduct (up to one end), while it is also possible to drive into the foot of the Aqueduct (the level where the Pahrali flows) on the opposite side. There is also a huge flight of stairs (made in recent times) that allows one to climb from the level of the Pahrali river to the trough.

Irrigation Water flows through the trough for a major part of the year, except in the summer (from February to May).

Tourist attraction

View from the centre of the bridge

In recent times, Mathur Aqueduct has become a popular tourist attraction in Kanyakumari District. The tourism department and the local Panchyat office have improved facilities for the visiting tourists.

From the centre of the Aqueduct, one can see a vast expanse of greenery, with rolling hills of the Western Ghats in the background, and the meandering Pahrali river flowing below.

Mathur Aqueduct is about 60 km from the popular tourist town of Kanyakumari and about 60 km from the city of Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala state.

External links

• A bridge too far - plus photo
• Hanging bridge to get facelift

Coordinates: 8°20'9"N 77°17'41"E