CUDDALORE: Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss on Thursday called for urgent desilting and maintenance of Veeranam Lake, while warning that the proposed expansion of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India Limited (NLCIL) would devastate agriculture in the region.
As part of his Retrieve Rights, Protect Generations padayatra, Anbumani visited Veeranam Lake at Radha Sluice near Kandhakumaran in Kattumannarkoil and interacted with farmers before addressing the media.
“Veeranam Lake was dug by the Cholas more than 1,100 years ago. It irrigates 50,000 acres directly and 40,000 acres indirectly, benefitting 90,000 acres in total. It is Tamil Nadu’s fourth largest lake with an original storage of 1.45 tmc and a depth of 47 feet. Today, it has silted up to 20–25 feet and stores only about 1 tmc,” he said.
Pointing out the lake’s role in Chennai’s water supply, he added, “Every day, 180 million litres are sent from here to Chennai, which requires 1,200 million litres daily. This historic lake has not been desilted since the beginning of democratic rule. The bunds must be raised and eastern irrigation channels maintained.”
Accusing successive governments of corruption, he said, “Cauvery has two major reservoirs — Mettur Dam with 93 tmc and Veeranam next. But instead of proper maintenance, funds are looted in the name of Rs 100 crore for desilting and Rs 120 crore for bund strengthening.”
On the proposed NLCIL expansion, he alleged, “Farmers’ livelihoods are already threatened by the third mine near Kammampuram. Now the company, with the Centre’s backing, plans to expand up to Veeranam Lake, which will displace 26 villages. Files are awaiting the Chief Minister’s approval. If he signs, agriculture here will be destroyed.” He further claimed that NLCIL is planning three more mines at Veeranam, Palayangottai and Sethiyathoppu.
Targeting the state, he said, “The minister of this region is ignoring the issue. The chief minister calls himself a ‘Delta man’ but remains silent. This Chola-built lake must be deepened and widened to store 2 tmc. People should not vote for the DMK, which is working against farmers.”
Earlier, Anbumani visited Chidambaram, where he offered prayers at the Nataraja temple and garlanded the statue of Kadavurayar Kopperunchingan.