Avinashi-Athikadavu scheme will be ready in 2 years: CM

The six-decade-old demand of farmers is likely to revive agriculture in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode. “The Athikadavu-Avinashi drinking water scheme will be finished on a war footing in another two years. I will then come again to inaugurate the project,” the Chief Minister said. 

Ground water levels remain low in Avinashi, which receives 600 mm to 700 mm rainfall annually. “Though Bhavani River flows in one part of Avinashi Taluk, it doesn’t benefit other areas. Also, people living in Annur, Tirupur and Palladam were affected by drought due to dipping ground water levels. So by diverting the excess water from Bhavani to feed 32 PWD tanks, 42 panchayat union tanks and 971 ponds, as many as 24,468 acres of land will be irrigated by the scheme. Also, surplus water from Bhavani will be tapped for irrigation and drinking water purposes,” said Palaniswami. 

Even areas like Karamadai, Thondamuthur and Sarkar Samakulam, which were left out initially have been included in the project. The state government issued administrative sanction to execute the project at a cost of Rs 1,652 crores using state funds in March last year. And a Government Order (GO) was issued on July 10 last year to execute the project. 

Expressing confidence that the project will be implemented within two years, the Chief Minister said, “The AIADMK government has fulfilled former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s poll promise and my assurance to implement the long pending water project.” 

He also said that the Godavari-Cauvery Rivers linking project will be taken up to end water issues in the delta region. “About 2500 TMC of water drains into Godavari. By linking Godavari and Cauvery, Tamil Nadu will get 200 TMC of water,” he said. 

Farmers and members of Federation of Athikadavu Avinashi Groundwater Recharge Scheme termed it as a success for their long drawn protest. In jubilation, the members served ‘annadhanam’ to people and also held a two-wheeler rally to the venue after performing a puja in a temple.