Chennai, Oct 19 (IANS) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay, on Monday announced a series of development projects for Madurantakam and Dharapuram, including a ₹1,439-crore combined drinking water scheme, a government women’s college, irrigation improvements and housing initiatives.
The announcements follow the recent Assembly bypoll victories of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam candidates Maragatham Kumaravel in Madurantakam and Sathyabama in Dharapuram.
According to a government release, Chief Minister Vijay has directed the departments concerned to expedite implementation.
A major announcement for Tiruppur district is a new Cauvery-based combined drinking water scheme, estimated to cost ₹1,439 crore, covering 1,232 rural habitations that remain outside the existing supply network.
The scheme will serve habitations in Dharapuram, Kangeyam, Kundadam, Pongalur and Vellakoil panchayat unions, besides seven panchayats in Mulanur and 17 in Palladam.
Of the district’s 2,455 rural habitations, 1,223 currently receive water through the Cauvery combined drinking water system.
In Dharapuram constituency, 2,700 free house-site pattas will be distributed to homeless beneficiaries. The government will also take appropriate steps to provide pattas to about 87 families who have lived for two decades at Guruvappa Naickenpalayam in Chinnaputhur village.
Across Tiruppur district, 159 works costing approximately ₹10 crore will be undertaken to desilt and clean irrigation channels.
In Dharapuram constituency, channels extending about 271 km will be cleared of silt, bushes and other obstructions.
New overhead water tanks will be built in Dharapuram, Mulanur and Kundadam blocks, where approximately 13,000 drinking water connections will also be provided.
Mulanur will get a new fire and rescue services station. For Dharapuram municipality, the announcements include water supply improvements and an overhead reservoir at an estimated ₹6 crore, streetlights costing ₹40 lakh, and solid waste management works worth ₹6 crore.
Stormwater drainage improvements will also be undertaken.
In Madurantakam constituency in Chengalpattu district, the government will establish a women’s arts and science college at Acharapakkam at an estimated cost of ₹20 crore.
Agricultural infrastructure will receive a substantial boost through a semi-covered paddy warehouse at Athur, with a capacity of 20,000 metric tonnes, costing approximately ₹20 crore.
Six paddy procurement centres will be established in Madurantakam block at ₹30 lakh each, involving a total expenditure of ₹1.80 crore.
A state seed farm will also be developed on 25 acres at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore.
Water management projects include a ₹5-crore check dam at Pukkathurai in Athimanam village, repairs to the sluice gates of the Public Works Department lake in Chembundi panchayat at ₹4.50 crore, and desilting and strengthening of the tank bunds in Nelvoy panchayat at ₹1.30 crore.
A feasibility study and detailed project report will be prepared for a proposed high-level check dam across the Palar between Padalam and Udayambakkam.
The approximately 30-km Madurantakam high-level canal, constructed in 1984 to supply water to 30 lakes, will be desilted, while its structures will be renovated in phases.
The government also plans to develop a park with tourism and recreational facilities at Madurantakam lake. Other announcements include a working women’s hostel, a ₹3-crore knowledge centre for educated youth, a ₹4-crore weekly market and new stormwater drains in Madurantakam municipality.
A community welfare building costing ₹70 lakh will be constructed in Thinnalur panchayat. Pukkathurai Government High School will be upgraded to a higher secondary school, while Karunguzhi will receive a mini sports ground costing approximately ₹80 lakh.
An additional 25 MVA transformer will be installed at the Madurantakam substation at an estimated cost of ₹3 crore.
New homes will be provided to economically disadvantaged and homeless families through the Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board.
Additional bus services will also be introduced in Chengalpattu district to improve access for farmers transporting produce and students travelling to schools and colleges.
—IANS
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