Stalin launches Athikadavu-Avinashi water scheme

ERODE: Tamil Nadu chief minister M K Stalin on Saturday launched the long-awaited Athikadavu-Avinashi drinking water scheme that will irrigate 24,468 acres of agricultural land in Erode, Tirupur and Coimbatore districts.
While launching the scheme through video conferencing from Chennai, the CM announced that it would replenish 1,045 water bodies, including lakes and ponds.
This initiative aims at utilizing 1.5 TMC FT of water from the river Bhavani over a period of 70 days, allowing for the distribution of water through 1,065 km of piped lines.
Stalin reflected on the efforts of former chief minister Karunanidhi, who first proposed this project in 1972, noting that progress was hindered by a change in government in 1976.
He said Karunanidhi attempted to revive the project in 1996, but it was again abandoned after the DMK lost power.
"Although the previous administration initiated the scheme in 2019, I have now reactivated it by making necessary adjustments to the funding, which totals Rs 1,916.41 crore," he said.