Prioritise intra-state river linking projects: CM to PWD

Palaniswami carried out a review meeting with PWD officials at the Secretariat and reviewed the implementation of various ongoing projects and the new projects proposed by the department and the fund allocation to them. He also reviewed the kudimaramath scheme implemented by the PWD department and number of water bodies desilted across the state under the scheme.

In the review meeting, Palaniswami told the officials to focus of intra-state river linking projects that are already in progress. “Officials should focus on faster completion of river linking schemes such as Pennaiyaru- Seyyaru interlinking scheme, Pennayaru-Palar interlinking scheme, Cauvery- Sarabanga- Thirumanimutharu-Ayyaru interlinking scheme, Tamirabarani- Karumeniyaru- Nambiyaru interlinking scheme and Cauvery-Agniyaru-South Vellaru-Manimutharu-Vaigai-Gundar interlinking scheme,” said Palaniswami.

He also said that Cauvery-Godavari interlinking scheme is the dream project of the state and if implemented Delta farmers will get large quantities of water. “The state will continuously stress the Centre of implementing the Cauvery-Godavari river linking project. Recently, I met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat demanding the Centre to implement the project at the earliest,” said Palaniswami.

Reviewing the kudimaramath scheme, Palaniswami said that in 2017-18, desilting works in 1,511 lakes were taken up and till date desilting works were completed in 1,311 lakes. “Large number of volunteers, public and private institutions are coming forward to desilt the water bodies in their localities. The district administrators were given clear instructions to work with them. In 2018-19, the kudimaramath works had been undertaken in 31 districts,” said the Chief Minister.

He further said that with the help of World Bank, restoration works are undertaken in 1,325 lakes and 107 dams in 22 districts in the first phase and in the current year, restoration works in 906 lakes and 183 dams in 18 districts are undertaken in the second phase.

He recalled the Athikadavu-Avinasi scheme and said that the 50-years demand of the people of that region had been fulfilled by allotting Rs 1,652 crore for the completion of the scheme.