MADURAI
PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Sunday said close to 95 lakh litres of different types of waste, including the discharge from Government Rajaji Hospital here, were let into the Vaigai and unless it was stopped, pollution of the river would continue and soon it might become the second Cooum of Tamil Nadu.
Speaking to reporters at Alwarpuram intersection, where Lord Kallazhagar enters the Vaigai during the annual Chitirai festival, Dr. Anbumani said it was not enough to have water only once a year during festival time. “With climate changing fast, we have very little option. Whenever there is rain or flood, we have to preserve water and there is no point in blaming nature,” he said.
Quoting sources of a study conducted recently, he said 58 types of solid waste were dumped on the banks of the Vaigai, which was once considered the heart of the city. Up to Sholavandan, which is about 25 km away from here, there was some trace of water in the river. But beyond Sholavandan, there was nothing to trace, he added.
He alleged that the nonchalant attitude of the government in allowing sand mining in the river had led to devastation. Many farmers in southern districts relied on water in tanks for irrigation. Only when the river was intact, it could fill the tanks. Hence, the cultivable area had started shrinking and farmers had been migrating to urban centres.
Stating that Andipatti, which was just six km away from Vaigai dam, was experiencing difficulties in getting drinking water. The authorities had no tangible plan for delivery of potable water through overhead pumping stations.
Vaigai dam was built by former Chief Minister Kamaraj to provide water up to Ramanathapuram district. However, getting water to towns closer to the dam itself seemed to be a Herculean task now, Dr. Anbumani said.
When asked to comment on Alagiri-Stalin tussle, he said it was an intra-party issue. While opposing the idea of simultaneous polls across India, he however said in Tamil Nadu the election should be conducted as the State government had miserably failed on various fronts.
