Chief Minister to launch desilting of 1,500 lakes on March 13

The state government in partnership with citizens, self-help groups and farmer associations, will clean the water bodies under the scheme, which included strengthening the lake bunds and  weeding out the plants, including hyacinths. 

Apart from Kancheepuram, the desilting work would be undertaken in various districts across the state in the presence of ministers, MPs, MLAs and district Collectors, an official release on Sunday said. It has been planned to conduct this event with the involvement of local people and the people’s representatives at the grass-root level along with PWD authorities. 

A total of 1,519 projects in 30 districts involving an expenditure of Rs 100 crore would be taken up under the scheme. The Chief Minister on February 23 announced that the ancient system of Kudimaramathu will be revived to maintain water bodies for an effective harvest of rainwater and to tackle drought the situation prevailing in many districts. 

He had also announced that an experts’ committee will be constituted with retired government officials who had served in the field of water management and engineering and volunteers with suggestions. The panel was destined to come up with the plan, strategy, modalities and policies to enforce effective water management measures.