Chief Minister demands Rs 4,445 cr for flood mitigation in Chennai

“To have a comprehensive and integrated flood management system for Chennai, its peri-urban areas, and surrounding rural areas, it is proposed to undertake permanent mitigation measures such as formation of missing links and stormwater drains in the river basin, adopting cut and cover systems, rehabilitating waterbodies in the respective river basins,” said Palaniswami, in an memorandum submitted to Modi. 

Palaniswami met the Prime Minister in New Delhi and discussed about the needs of the State government and the prevailing political situation in Tamil Nadu. He also handed over a memorandum with various demands to Modi.

Palaniswami also demanded Modi to settle the IGST dues of Tamil Nadu for the 2017-18 financial year. “A significant shortfall in the settlement of amounts due to TN was found and accordingly, I had addressed the Union Finance Minister Piyush Goyal on July 6 this year seeking an early settlement of the unsettled IGST, which was to the tune of Rs 5,600 crore approximately,” he said.

Palaniswami further requested Modi to stop Karnataka from proceeding in Mekedatu project. 

“I request you (Modi) to instruct the Central Water Commission or any other agency to stop further processing of the feasibility report of Karnataka to construct a reservoir at Mekedatu across the Cauvery and not to give consent to any project across the river without prior concurrence of Tamil Nadu,” said Palaniswami. 

The Chief Minister also demanded Rs 17,600 crore to modernise the Cauvery basin. A detailed project report for improvements and rehabilitation of irrigation system in the Cauvery basin for efficient irrigation management has been prepared, which will be submitted to the Central Water Commission. 

Palaniswami went on to demand Bharat Ratna for former Chief Ministers Annadurai and J Jayalalithaa, besides renaming Chennai Central Railway station after another former Chief Minister M G Ramachandran.