Centre’s nod awaited for Avinashi-Athikadavu Project

Replying to a query raised by the Leader of the Opposition M K Stalin, he said Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has ordered to implement the Athikadavu-Avinashi project as an irrigation, groundwater recharge and drinking water scheme. Stating that Jayalalithaa was determined to implement the scheme which would benefit the people of Avinashi and nearby areas in Tirupur district, he said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Athikadavu-Avinashi Flood Canal Project at a cost of Rs 1,862 crores was prepared in 2011. 

“This project envisages diversion of flood surplus of 2,000 cusecs from the Bhavani River at Pillur to 31 Water Resources Department Tanks, 40 Panchayat Union Tanks and 538 ponds in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode Districts,” the minister said. Stalin, during a special calling attention motion in the House, sought to know whether the Rs 3.27 crore allotted for the Athikadavu-Avinashi scheme was utilised. Referring to the scheme which had led to agitations by farmers, he said nearly 30 TMC excess water from the Bhavani river would be useful for farmers.