Demanding the implementation of the Thoni Maduvu project so as to provide drinking water and irrigation in Kolathur areas, DMDK Mettur MLA S.R. Parthiban along with cadre staged a protest near Mettur Dam here on Tuesday.
When the cadre tried to enter the water, scuffle broke between them and the police and 320 people, including 28 women were removed from the area. Water from the hills mix in River Palar at Thoni Maduvu, a village in Kolathur Taluk. Hence, political parties and people were demanding construction of a reservoir at Thoni Maduvu so that the water could be stored and used for irrigation and drinking water needs. A project was prepared at a cost of Rs. 118 crore for constructing a reservoir by the Public Works Department earlier. However, no action has been taken after that. Also, surplus water from the Stanley Reservoir is let into sea every year. There is a long demand for diverting the surplus water through rivers so that Mecheri Union gets benefitted. Hence, urging the government to implement the scheme, the DMDK has announced that they could climb up the reservoir in Mettur and stage protest on Tuesday.
Led by Superintendent of Police G. Subbulakshmi, over 200 police personnel were posted for security so that cadre does not enter the reservoir. The Cauvery Bridge and the 16-vent surplus sluice bridge were closed for the public. The MLA along with cadre attempted to enter the water in River Cauvery. However, scuffle broke between the cadre and the police. Ramachandran, a DMDK cadre, climbed a high-transmission electric line and staged protest. The police pacified him and he got down.
Speaking to reporters, Mr. Parthiban said that when the water from Mettur Dam is benefitting people across the State, people in Mettur do not get water even for drinking purpose. “The local people had given their land for construction of the dam and also lost their lives during construction. However, the dam serves no purpose for them”, he added. He wanted the State government to make announcement for implementing the Thoni Maduvu scheme in the coming Assembly session. Later protestors were removed.
