Mega scheme to harness surplus water from Mettur to be launched

SALEM: A mega scheme to impound the surplus water from the Mettur so as to fill up 100 lakes would be taken up soon, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has said.

“This would be initiated at a cost of Rs 565 crore and this would help to fill 100 lakes in the four assembly constituencies of Mettur, Omalur, Sankari and Edappadi. The move, which also envisages the harnessing of rainwater emptying in the sea, would also help to recharge the groundwater level,” Mr Palaniswami said on Sunday.

Also the Sarabanga river will be renovated at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore, the Chief Minister said after distributing laptops to students.

Road infrastructure essential for growth: Flaying those opposing the Salem-Chennai eight lane green corridor, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Sunday said good road infrastructure is essential for growth, especially industrial development.

Maintaining that good road infrastructure would make travel comfortable and safe besides save the cost of fuel, Mr Palaniswami said Tamil Nadu is leading in road infrastructure works. “I have been ensuring development since I was Highways Minister. Not only that, the AIADMK government has been fulfilling all the projects and programmes announced since the reign of former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa,” Mr. Palaniswami said.

His government has been working with the “aim to create a State free from traffic congestion.”  The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating various completed projects to the tune of Rs 24 crore at Tharamangalam in Salem district in the State on Sunday. Outer ring roads, two bridges and bus service on newly constructed bridges were also inaugurated by the CM on the occasion.     

On water management he said his government focused on Kudimaramathu, involving farmers and locals, to maintain the water resources. "The silt obtained from the lakes and ponds are given to the farmers for free for their use. "As water is essential for agriculture and drinking purpose, the AIADMK is attaching importance to water management, especially bestowing more attention on Kudimaramathu works," Mr. Palaniswami said.

Later, speaking to reporters he said the AIADMK MPs would continue to oppose the Central government’s Dam Safety Bill as it is against the interest of Tamil Nadu. To a question, he replied that the local bodies elections would be held at an appropriate time.