Water crisis: CM unveils Rs 100 crore project

With water scarcity looming large, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami inaugurated a project to desilt the Manimangalam Lake in Kancheepuram district under the State government’s Kudimaramathu scheme. He shovelled the first mound of sand from the lake.

He commenced the works from Manimangalam lake, a Pallava period irrigation structure in Kancheepuram district.

As of now, Rs 100 crore has been allocated to undertake 1,519 works in 30 districts (except Chennai and the Nilgiris) with the contribution of farmers. The chief minister said more funds would be granted for this scheme in the coming years.

“Apart from cleaning the waterbodies, the scheme will also focus on strengthening of the lake bunds and weeding out the plants, including hyacinths,” he added.

This scheme would ensure more storage in waterbodies and help farmers as well as improve the water quality in the neighbourhood. He also said that the North-East and South-West monsoons had failed, but the government would ensure that the people, especially the farmers, do not suffer without water.

Official sources said the main purpose of the scheme is to increase the storage capacity of irrigation structures, which would help in cultivation and lift the groundwater table. Under this scheme, 90 per cent of the cost involved in Kudimaramath works would be borne by the government and 10 per cent by the user communities.