CM Stalin Hands Appointment Orders to 169 Assistant Engineers (Civil) in Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department

Also Launches ₹33.55 Crore Digital Infrastructure for Water Monitoring and Protection

Chennai : Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin handed over appointment orders to 169 newly selected Assistant Engineers (Civil) under the Water Resources Department (WRD) today. These engineers were recruited through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) and will bolster the state’s infrastructure and water management efforts.

The Chief Minister also inaugurated two key digital water governance platforms developed at a combined cost of ₹33.55 crore:

1. Tamil Nadu Water Resources Information and Management System (TNWRIMS) – ₹30 crore
2. Satellite-Based Water Bodies Information Monitoring and Protection System (TNSWIP) – ₹3.55 crore

These systems will provide real-time data, enhance monitoring, and improve decision-making in water resource management.

Boosting Public Engineering Workforce

The 169 engineers selected through a transparent merit-based process will strengthen the technical capacity of the WRD. Since 2021, a total of 374 Assistant Engineers (Civil) have been appointed to the department.

Modern Water Data Platforms Launched

1. TNWRIMS (₹30 Crore)

This comprehensive platform consolidates data from various water-utilizing departments and stakeholders to provide real-time insights on:

• Water availability, flow, and quality
• Reservoir operations and monitoring
• River basin information and groundwater levels
• Rural water supply, sanitation, and consumption data
• Flood forecasting and early warning systems
• Project performance monitoring

Developed with support from NABARD Consultancy Services and Vassar Labs, TNWRIMS integrates data from institutions such as the Central Water Commission (CWC), India Meteorological Department (IMD), and ISRO. It serves as a centralized knowledge base to ensure proactive and data-driven water resource management. The dashboard is accessible at: http://tnwrims.tn.gov.in

TNSWIP (₹3.55 Crore)

This system focuses on monitoring and protecting water bodies using satellite imagery and AI-based tools. Currently piloted in Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Kancheepuram, and Chennai, the platform enables:

• Detection of encroachments and illegal constructions
• Measurement of water body shrinkage
• Real-time alerts to officials about violations
• Drone and remote-sensing based analysis for lakebed mapping and quality testing

For example, encroachments in Ambattur Lake have already been identified, and water quality in Chembarambakkam Lake is now monitored in real-time via sensors. The platform can be accessed at: http://tnswip.tn.gov.in

Advanced Tools for Transparent Governance

The government also utilized advanced tools like bathymetric surveys and UAV (drones) to assess lakebeds, particularly in Poondi Reservoir. These surveys enable precision in managing water storage capacity and quality parameters.

This initiative marks Tamil Nadu as the first state in India to implement an integrated, real-time, AI-enabled water governance system that monitors both groundwater and surface water resources.

Key Dignitaries Present

The event was attended by:

• Minister for Water Resources & Minerals Thuraimurugan
• Chief Secretary N. Muruganandam, IAS
• Secretary for Water Resources S. Sekar, IAS
• WRD Chief Engineers and Directors
• Officials from NABARD, Vassar Labs, and IMD
• TNWRIMS and TNSWIP Project Heads

This ambitious step reflects the Tamil Nadu government’s commitment to future-ready, sustainable water management, ensuring water security for the state’s citizens through both human resources and digital transformation.