New regulator at Mukkombu by Jan 2021

Speaking to reporters after inspecting the ongoing works, the Chief Minister said, after the collapse of the old regulator, a new regulator construction had commenced at an estimated cost of Rs 387.60 crore and the works are under fast track.

“So far, 35 per cent of works have been completed and the remaining works would be over by the end of January 2021 and would be thrown open thereafter,” said Palaniswami. Out of the 1,650 metres, the diaphragm wall has been constructed for a length of 711 metre so far and 45 shutters have been completed, the CM said.

He said that the workers were involved round the clock to complete the project on time. “It is planned to complete it by the end of January 2021 and throw it open for public utilisation thereafter,” he said.

When asked whether the works would be affected if water was released on the customary month of June, the Chief Minister said, the works would never be affected when water was released for Delta irrigation. The structure has been strengthened by steel pipes and all possible works to prevent any seepage or damage has been initiated, he said.

Commenting on the Karnataka state which has raised the issue of Mekedatu dam before the Cauvery Management Board, the Chief Minister said, Karnataka government is in the habit of raising such issues from the beginning and we have approached the Supreme Court against the issue which is pending with the apex court. At the same time, the Karnataka government cannot refuse the quantum of water to Tamil Nadu as the Supreme Court verdict clearly states that.

“If they continue to raise this issue, it would be considered as contempt of court,” the Chief Minister said.

‘Tiruchy, Karur, Ariyalur excluded to protect industries’

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Palaniswami clarified that the officials who studied the Delta region found that the districts of Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, a part of Cuddalore and Pudukkottai district have Methane presence and so these areas were announced to be the Protected Agricultural Zone while there are industries in Tiruchy, Karur and Ariyalur districts. If these areas were included in the special zone, the industries would be affected and so after considering all these points, the announcement was made, he said.