Salem: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said that a study is being conducted by a committee of retired chief engineers to draft better rainwater harvesting projects to save all rain water availability in Tamil Nadu.
The Chief Minister arrived at Salem on Friday to take part in a welfare schemes distribution function. Speaking to reporters at the airport, he said, “I prayed at Tirupati for adequate rains to fill all the dams and reservoirs in Tamil Nadu. Some political leaders taunted me. Now it has become a reality and with God's benevolence, Mettur dam has reached its full reservoir level of 120 feet. Many dams across the state are filling up fast to reach full reservoir level.”
He noted that nearly 1.17 lakh cusecs of water is being released from Karnataka due to the copious rains in the catchment areas. “Neither Karnataka nor Tamil Nadu can save the excess water now. A committee of retired chief engineers is studying possibilities to save rain water. Measures will also be initiated to save water from all rivers and streams across the state by preventing rain water from going into the sea,” he explained.
Stating that the committee will submit its report in six months, Mr. Palaniswami said based on their report, steps will be taken to construct check dams at places where they are feasible in the State. Commenting on the impact of the nation-wide lorry strike, the Chief Minister said, “agricultural products and eggs have stagnated and they have to be delivered to other states. I have written a letter to the Union Minister for Road Transport, Sri Nitin Gadkari to solve the issue immediately.”
Mr. Palaniswami also distributed Rs 8.09 crore worth welfare schemes to 1,278 beneficiaries at a function in Salem. He also inaugurated various completed development works at a cost of Rs 4.99 crore in Salem district today.
