Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, who is also in charge of the Public Works Department (PWD) announced that 95% of the construction of the fifth reservoir is complete and that it would bring respite to Chennai residents.
Chennai: Chief minister of Tamil Nadu K Palaniswami had on Wednesday said that a fifth reservoir was nearing completion and would bring relief to the parched throats of Chennaites.
Palaniswami who holds the Public Works Department (PWD) portfolio stated that about 95% of the construction work of the new dam has been completed.
“The remaining five per cent work will be finished in two months and the government will take steps to store water there in the coming monsoon and ensure unhindered supply to people,” he added.
Palaniswami made the remarks during a review meeting of the various works that were undertaken by the Public Works Department, including the creation of the reservoir in the Tiruvallur district.
The scheme was announced by the then chief minister of Tamil Nadu, late J Jayalalithaa in 2012. It involves the linking of the Kannankottai and Thervoykandigai lakes in that district and a reservoir to store 1 tmcft of water to cater to Chennai’s needs.
The city’s drinking water requirement is presently met from reservoirs at Poondi, Cholavaram, Redhills and Chembarambakkam, all of which have now dried up, leading to water shortage in the metropolis.
According to an official release, the chief minister reviewed various works such as construction and maintenance of reservoirs, water rejuvenation schemes, and the government’s ambitious ‘Kudimaramathu’ scheme, which involves community participation in maintaining water bodies.
Palaniswami also directed officials to expedite work on five intra-state river linking projects, the release said. Tamil Nadu’s water crisis went to such an extent that even Oscar-winning actor from Los Angeles, Leonardo DiCaprio shared a post on the situation.
DiCaprio used Tamil Nadu as an example to educate his fans and followers on climate change. He shared two posts on his Instagram account in which he talks about India and its problems, “which are affecting the environment and its people”.
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