Nearly ten years since its initiation, the Marudaiyaru dam project in Kottarai village remains unfinished, posing a significant concern for locals ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections. The project, which began in 2016, has faced delays primarily due to insufficient funds, with its cost rising from an initial estimate of Rs 67.5 crore to Rs 149.4 crore. Spread across Kottarai and Adhanur villages, the dam is crucial for storing 212 million cubic feet of water and providing irrigation to about 4,194 acres of agricultural land in the drought-prone district.
Despite nearly 95% of the construction being completed, the project has stalled due to a lack of funds, leaving only the branch irrigation canal work pending. The incomplete structure now shows signs of neglect, with overgrown Seemai Karuvelam trees and visible cracks in parts of the dam and its shutters, raising concerns about its structural integrity. Local residents, especially those who sacrificed their land for the project, express deep frustration over unmet promises during land acquisition, such as government jobs and housing plots.
Residents of Perali and Perambalur voice disappointment over the unfinished project, emphasizing the repeated letdown by politicians who fail to fulfill commitments made during election campaigns. Officials from the Water Resources Department have confirmed the project’s need for fresh funds, while Transport Minister S.S. Sivasankar assures the government’s dedication to completing the dam soon. As the elections draw near, the incomplete Marudaiyaru dam project symbolizes unmet assurances and tests political accountability in Perambalur.
