Sathanur dam park renovation: Collector denies funds misuse

In 2017-18, the State Government sanctioned Rs 33 lakh to renovate the park at the Sathanur dam, which is one of the major water body in north Tamil Nadu. Of the total grant, Rs 3 lakh was marked to repair pedal boats in the lake, Rs 10 lakh to renovate the swimming pool and its foot path, Rs 5 lakh to paint pillars in the central parking lot, Rs 5 lakh to repair the toilets attached to the community hall and Rs10 lakh to repair and remove the aquatic weed from the dam’s distribution channel.

Sources said that the amount was sanctioned in 2017-18 and tenders for the project were also floated the same year. 

As and when news appeared in the media in the past that no work was being carried out at the park, press persons had approached the PWD officials for clarification. However, officials had repeatedly and reportedly had denied the allegations. They had claimed that funds were being used and the project was progressing. 

Meanwhile, recently after the media confronted PWD officials over the same issue, painting works began at the park. 

Sources claimed that the hurried painting work indicated that something fishy was happening within the department in connection with the project. 

Collector KS Kandasamy said, “This is undoubtedly an allegation by a local AIADMK politician, who was annoyed with the PWD Department. When the politician recently visited the dam, he was allotted a room in the annexure building of Sathanur dam guest house and not in the main building. He had also fought with officials over this issue. Hence, the PWD officials sought the help of a local politician to broker peace at that time. It is suspected that the aggrieved politician must have spread such allegations that no work was being carried out at the park.”