The Rs 14,000-crore Nadanthaai Vaazhi Cauvery River restoration scheme in Tamil Nadu, aimed at ecological and irrigation benefits, is likely to be postponed until after the upcoming Assembly elections. The delay, attributed to administrative and financial challenges, has sparked political tensions between the AIADMK and DMK parties. AIADMK’s Edappadi K. Palaniswami accused the DMK government of hindering the project progress.
Senior officials from the Water Resources Department clarified that the delay is not politically motivated but rather due to procedural obstacles. The scheme, which has received Rs 934 crore for the initial phase, involves coordination among multiple departments including WRD, water supply, TNEB, and revenue. The project’s commencement is deemed unfeasible before the elections due to these complexities.
The restoration initiative will first focus on rejuvenating the Cauvery River from Mettur to Tiruchy and its tributaries, covering a significant stretch of 1,092 km. The subsequent phase will address the remaining 214-km stretch from Tiruchy to the sea. Farmers in the region, affected by pollution and water scarcity, eagerly await the project’s implementation to revive agriculture and improve water quality.
The proposed measures under the scheme include setting up sewage treatment plants, effluent treatment facilities for textile units, and enhancing riverfront areas. Farmers in delta districts like Tiruvarur anticipate increased agricultural productivity with the project’s execution, enabling multiple crop seasons annually. Despite the anticipation, the restoration project is likely to be deferred until after the elections.
