Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has said that the State Government will implement the Avinashi – Athikadavu project on its own even if there is no support from the Central government.
Speaking at the annual day celebrations at a Government High School at Bhavani here, where he studied from 1967, on Sunday, he said that many promised to implement the project in the past, but only the AIADMK government is implementing it. “Even if there is no funding from the Centre or NABARD, the government will fund the project and implement it”, he said and added that the project will benefit farmers in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts.
He said that 65% of the people in the State are farmers and the government will carry out Kudimaramathu in 1,511 water bodies through which desilting, strengthening of bund works will be carried out. He said that funds will be provided to the farmers’ associations to carry out the work in water bodies in their respective areas so that mistakes do not occur. He said that more check dams will be constructed at a cost of ₹300 crore in the current year.
Hailing the Kongu Chieftain Kalingarayan, who dug canal for 56.2 mile, Mr. Palaniswami said that a seven-foot-statue was unveiled at the new mani mandapam constructed at Kalingarayan Anicut at a cost of ₹ 1.65 crore on Sunday. “The government will celebrate a function every year”, he added.
Listing out various road expansion works to be carried out in the district, he said that after the works were completed accidents will not happen. Mr. Palaniswami inaugurated 1,622 completed works and also laid foundation stone for 25 new projects.
