Industrialisation in the two backward districts of Perambalur and Ariyalur is set to get a push with Chief Minister Jayalalithaa announcing setting up of a textile park on the Tiruchi-Chennai national highway in Perambalur and a SIDCO industrial complex in Ariyalur. Farmers from the delta region too have good news with the decision to construct 25 grade wall structures in the various tributaries of the Cauvery, channels and drainage to enable restoration of theoretical bed level in order to provide effective irrigation to farmers at an estimated cost of Rs.68.55 crore.
Establishment of an eco-tourist centre at Muthupettai lagoon in Tiruvarur district and promotion of eco-tourism at Panchamalai near Thuraiyur in Tiruchi district, setting up of a fossil museum in Ariyalur, a new bus stand for Karur, and expansion of the existing ones in Pudukottai and Gandharvakottai are among the significant development projects for the central region announced by the Chief Minister at the conclusion of the three-day conference of district collectors and police officers in Chennai on Wednesday.
The forest department had already worked out a plan to offer holiday and weekend packages to groups and families visiting Pachamalai forming part of the eastern ghats. The plan also seeks to involve tribal communities and bring about an improvement in their socio-economic conditions. Treks and stays would be arranged as part of the packages.
The government is also seeking to give a fillip to recharge of ground water in Tiruvarur district by installing recharge shafts at 4,000 places at an investment of Rs.20 crore. A long-pending move to establish a fossil museum in Ariyalur, known as land of fossils, is also set to become a reality soon.
Establishment of a new bus stand in Karur and the expansion of the existing bus stands in Pudukottai and Gandharvakottai would meet the need of the residents of the respective towns. Karur residents have also reason to be happy with the move to upgrade the general hospital in the town on a par with a medical college hospital. The government hospital in Ariyalur would get necessary buildings and equipment.
The central region would get three new arts and science colleges. While two of them would be located at Gandharvakottai and Karambakudi in Pudukottai district, the third one would be established at Veppur block in Perambalur district.
With a long network of State highways, a separate highways division is to be established in Perambalur. Perambalur district would also get a new milk dairy, which would serve milk producers from Ariyalur district. Apart from a ring road for Karur, circular and semi-circular roads for Pudukottai are to be sanctioned.
A combined water supply scheme would be sanctioned covering Kulathur, Karambakudi, Alangudi and Gantharvakottai taluks in Pudukottai district. The decision to repair and strengthen roads for a distance of 42 km damaged on account of trucks carrying heavy loads of cement in Ariyalur district comes as a welcome relief for commuters and road users.
