Ministers launch first phase of combined drinking water scheme

Minister for Municipal Administration K.N. Nehru, Revenue Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran, and Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, on Saturday inaugurated the first phase of the Tamirabharani Combined Drinking Water Project for Arupukottai, Virudhunagar, and Sattur towns.

They laid the foundation stone for a ₹297.25crore underground drainage project for Aruppukottai town and distributed benefits worth ₹2.43 crore among 498 beneficiaries under various welfare programmes.

The Tamirabharani Combined Drinking Water project is being executed by Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) at a cost of ₹444.71 crore.

In the first phase, the work on laying the main pipeline for 110 km and feeder line for 35 km and construction of sumps had been completed.

However, laying of distribution pipelines and providing house service connections in the three towns was under way.

The work is expected to be completed by June.

Mr. Nehru said that his department had allocated ₹839 crore, including ₹584 crore for Aruppukottai, ₹109 crore of Rajapalayam, and ₹90 crore of Sivakasi Corporation in Virudhunagar district and work is under way.

Similarly, ₹94.78 crore had been allocated for the town panchayats in the district.

Recalling that TWAD Board was founded by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi in 1972, he said that since then the Board had executed 544 drinking water schemes that benefited 4.53 crore people till three years ago.

“In the last three years, additional 2.35 crore people were getting benefits of new drinking water schemes,” he said.

Besides, renovation of old drinking water projects had been taken up.