CM lays foundation for river-link project

Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday laid the foundation stone for the primary section of the Cauvery-South Vellar-Vaigai-Gundar intra-State river-link project. He additionally laid the foundation for the renovation of irrigation infrastructures beneath the Extension, Renovation and Modernisation of Cauvery Sub-basin Project, at a perform in Kunnathur, close to Viralimalai.

Terming the Cauvery-Gundar river linking a momentous project, he mentioned it will be carried out at a price of ₹14,400 crore. No different project had been carried out by the Public Works Department at such an enormous price, he mentioned. “Several people were skeptical about the project. It is a century-old dream of the people. We have started work. It is the happiest day of my life. I have achieved the goal of my birth,” Mr. Palaniswami mentioned, including that surplus water from the Cauvery can be diverted through the canal to South Vellar, Vaigai and Gundar. The individuals of Tiruchi, Pudukottai, Sivaganga, Virudhunagar and Ramanathapuram districts would profit.

Under the primary section of the intra-State river-link project, a canal can be constructed from the Mayanur barrage on Cauvery river to the South Vellar — a distance of about 118.45 km — at an estimated price of ₹6,941 crore.

The ₹3,384 crore project for the renovation and modernisation of the Cauvery sub-basin is geared toward guaranteeing irrigation for over 4.6 lakh acres of land in Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, Tiruvarur and Mayiladuthurai districts, served by the Cauvery, and 21 of its tributaries falling within the decrease Cauvery sub-basin.

Attack on Stalin

On the event, Mr. Palaniswami accused DMK president M.K. Stalin of indulging in malicious and false propaganda in opposition to his authorities, however mentioned the individuals wouldn’t imagine it.

Mr. Stalin has been spreading falsehoods in opposition to the AIADMK with an ulterior motive of damaging its popularity, he mentioned. But the individuals won’t ever imagine his false propaganda. They will proceed to help “our people and farmer-friendly government,” he mentioned.

Rejecting the criticism levelled by Mr. Stalin that the Narendra Modi-led authorities had not sanctioned any scheme for the State or listened to its calls for, Mr. Palaniswami mentioned his authorities had urged the Prime Minister to announce a particular programme, known as ‘Nadanthai Vazhi Cauvery’, to rejuvenate and defend the river from city air pollution. Mr. Modi had accepted the demand and included it within the President’s deal with to the Parliament.

This reveals that the Centre helps the event of the State and listens to its calls for, he mentioned.

Recalling the protests by farmers and the individuals of Naduvasal in Pudukottai district in opposition to the hydrocarbon project, Mr. Palaniswami mentioned it was Mr. Stalin who had accepted the project. But the AIAIDMK authorities had not solely halted the project however had additionally declared the complete delta a protected agricultural zone.

Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam mentioned Mr. Stalin had been criticising the AIADMK authorities with none substance. The AIADMK authorities had carried out innumerable schemes in 10 years and had an extended record of achievements to hunt a contemporary mandate. But Mr. Stalin couldn’t project any notable scheme carried out in the course of the DMK regime and he may by no means turn out to be the Chief Minister of the State, he mentioned.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Principal Secretary of the Public Works Department K. Manivasan and Collector P. Uma Maheswari additionally spoke.