In order to allay the fears of farmers and local residents about the possible depletion of ground water in their region after the implementation of the New Veeranam and its extension project, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Friday announced new water conservation measures like construction of check dams and ban on sand quarrying from the area between grand anaicut and lower anaicut. The farmers in the region have been agitating against digging of deep bore wells under the scheme, which envisages augmenting water supply to Chennai.