Palaniswami petitions Gadkari for ferry service to Sri Lanka

The first one was regarding water resources issues and irrigation projects, which demanded the formation of Cauvery Management Board, assistance for implementation of projects including Athikadavu - Avinashi Scheme, flood banks to Kosasthalaiyar, macro drain project for Chennai suburbs and flood banks to Adyar river among others. 

The other memorandum stressed on road infrastructure boost for the state. Improvement of existing Pamban Channel to ensure East-West connectivity for medium size vessels, resumption of ferry services between India and Sri Lanka by developing the infrastructural facilities at Rameswaram port and increase in Sagarmala funding pattern from 50 to 100 per cent, are some of the key demands. 

“For Tamil Nadu, with more potential for industrial growth the projects identified were innovative and having national importance which will fulfill the vision of the Union Government under Sagarmala and Bharatmala,” the CM said. 

He reiterated that the state was firm on formation of Cauvery Management Board and to deny permission for Mekadatu project and that the Centre had asked the state to wait for the outcome of the Supreme Court’s hearing on these matters. 

He added that both the issues figured in the discussions they had. Palaniswami told the media that the Centre had already assured the state that it would not accord sanction for Mekadatu dam in Karnataka. He added that the Centre would consult the state in the issue in future as well.

The CM observed that they had renewed their demand for Avinashi – Athikadavu project as well and the Centre had assured to consider it. 

According to Palaniswami, the Union Minister had agreed to consider their requests on repairing national highways, upgrading state highways to national highways, digitisation of toll gates for decongestion, construction of new bridges, modernisation of various ports including Thoothukudi Port, among others.