Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to prioritize and fast-track the implementation of the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river linking project, emphasizing its critical importance for the state’s long-term water security. In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Chief Minister Vijay highlighted Tamil Nadu’s inherent deficiency in surface water resources, noting the state’s significant dependence on neighbouring states for over 30 percent of its water requirements. This reliance, he pointed out, renders Tamil Nadu highly vulnerable to inter-state water availability fluctuations.
Call for National Project Status and Special Purpose Vehicle
The Chief Minister stressed the urgent need for a sustainable solution to augment the state’s surface water resources to meet the escalating demands for both drinking water and irrigation. He described the Godavari-Cauvery-Gundar river link as the most significant long-term opportunity for enhancing Tamil Nadu’s water resources. The project, he stated, would provide substantial relief to the drought-prone southern districts, including Pudukkottai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, and Virudhunagar, which have historically grappled with chronic water scarcity.
Chief Minister Vijay further pointed out that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) prepared by the National Water Development Agency (NWDA) for the Godavari-Pennar-Palar-Vellar link, considered the first phase, currently terminates a few kilometers upstream of the Cauvery River. He urged the Prime Minister to ensure that the project’s scope is extended to connect with the Kattalai Barrage across the Cauvery, thereby enabling the river-linking initiative to extend to the Gundar basin as originally envisioned. To ensure a coordinated and time-bound execution, the Chief Minister also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV), involving participation from the Central Government and the relevant states, and requested that the project be formally declared a ‘project of national importance’.
Farmers’ Associations Welcome, Raise Concerns Over Funding
The initiative has been met with a welcome from various farmers’ associations, who have long advocated for improved water management and inter-state river connectivity. The Southern Districts Farmers Association, in particular, has lauded the Chief Minister’s move, recalling his appeal to the Prime Minister to instruct the Union Ministry of Jal Jeevan on the matter. However, some farmer groups have expressed concerns regarding the pace of progress and the adequacy of budgetary allocations. Recently, the Tamil Nadu government’s Budgetary announcement included an allocation of ₹150 crore for the Cauvery-Gundar project, a sum some farmers’ organizations deemed meagre, suggesting that at this rate, the project could take decades to complete. These groups have called for higher allocations and suggested exploring funding avenues such as central government schemes or loans from the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
The project aims to divert flood discharges from the Cauvery to the water-scarce southern parts of the state by constructing a 262-km link canal from the Mayanur barrage on the Cauvery to the Vaigai and the Gundar. While initial construction on small stretches has been completed, the project has faced significant delays over the past five years. Farmers’ leaders have emphasized that the full realization of the project, extending to the Gundar basin, is crucial for addressing the water needs of extensive agricultural lands in districts like Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Sivaganga, and Thoothukudi.
The broader context of river management in Tamil Nadu also includes ongoing efforts to restore the Cauvery, Vaigai, and Tamirabarani rivers, which have been impacted by pollution. The government has committed to safeguarding Tamil Nadu’s rights over Cauvery waters through legal, technical, and administrative measures, while also reiterating its opposition to the Mekedatu dam project. The proposed comprehensive initiative aims to bolster long-term water security for farmers across the state.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
