CHENNAI: AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday urged Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay to implement the proposed Nadanthai Vazhi Cauvery project, saying it would benefit farmers and improve drinking water supply to several districts in the state.In a statement, Palaniswami blamed the previous DMK govt for shelving the AIADMK govt’s flagship project despite the state securing environmental clearance and the Union govt’s approval. According to him, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 935 crore as the first instalment under the 60:40 Centre-state funding pattern, but the DMK govt had failed to pursue the project. The project catered to around 12 districts in western and delta region, he said.He urged the TVK govt, which came to power promising “change”, to take up the project with the support of the Union govt and ensure its early implementation for the benefit of farmers and the public.Palaniswami said that the CM should focus on implementing the project instead of “horse-trading” of MLAs and safeguarding his govt through political manoeuvring. He took a swipe at Vijay, accusing him of concentrating on punch dialogues and “reels” rather than governance.
