The Mettur surplus water scheme will be completed in a year, and waterbodies in Salem district will be filled with the surplus water, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said here on Saturday.
Speaking at an event in Katchupalli near Konganapuram, Mr. Palaniswami said, “The Mettur surplus water scheme will be implemented at an approximate cost of ₹565 crore. Work on the project will start in five months and will be completed in a year. In two years, waterbodies will be filled to the brim.”
The Chief Minister inaugurated various projects and collected petitions under the Chief Minister’s special grievance programme at various places in Salem on Saturday.
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He detailed the various works and welfare schemes implemented by the State government in constituencies here, and said he was listing them out to bring Opposition leader and DMK president M.K. Stalin up to speed on the work done by the State government in various constituencies.
Countering Mr. Stalin’s remark that the State government should first prevent surplus water from the Cauvery from going waste into the sea, Mr. Palaniswami said, “The DMK was in power for several years. How many check dams have you (DMK) built? They have not built a single check dam between Mettur and Kollidam. Mr. Stalin, who has not done anything about the issue, has no right to talk about us.”
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Responding to DMK treasurer Durai Murugan’s comments about his recent visit to Kerala, Mr. Palaniswami said, “Mr. Durai Murugan has been the longest-serving PWD (Public Works) Minister in the State. What has he done while in power? Have they(DMK) taken any steps to solve the Mullaperiyar issue, or at least the Palar issue? Today, we have made an effort to solve these issues.” Two committees of senior officials — one in Kerala and one in Tamil Nadu — will be formed to discuss inter-State issues. Steps will be taken to resolve these issues in two months, the CM said.