Latest news with #Duraimurugan
The Hindu
09-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Minister Duraimurugan inaugurates built at a cost of ₹24.82 crore dyke across Palar near Katpadi
Minister for Water Resources Duraimurugan inaugurated the ₹24.82 crore new dyke built across the Palar river at Arumparuthi village near Katpadi in Vellore on Wednesday, ending a long-standing demand of farmers in the region. Officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD), which executed the work, said that the new dyke at Arumparuthi is among the five dykes built at Katpadi and Gudiyatham taluk across the Palar river and its tributary, Malataru, in Vellore. 'The new facility will help us to cultivate at least three seasons in a year. It also contributes to the depletion of water resources in the area,' said K. Vembu, a farmer. Other new dykes are being built at Shenbakkam (Vellore Corporation), Kugaiyanallore, Masigam villages in the district. In Ranipet, a dyke at Thiruparkadal village near Walajah town is under construction. Among these, the dyke at Thiruparkadal village is the longest facility (1,345 metres), whereas the dyke in Masigam village near Katpadi across Malataru river is the shortest one (220 metres). 'Dykes help to store excess rainwater that gets discharged into the Palar river. Such a facility was built depending on the depletion of the groundwater level in identified areas along the river,' R. Ramkumar, Assistant Engineer (AE), PWD (Katpadi), told The Hindu. On average, each dyke helps to recharge groundwater for about three-km radius around the facility. It will help to irrigate around 20,000 hectares of farmland in at least 30 villages. Paddy is the chief crop in these villages due to less water usage. Built under the National Agriculture Development Scheme, the new dyke at Arumparuthi village is 720 metres long, 85 metres wide across the river and eight metres in depth. Apart from irrigation, the new dyke helps to recharge 251 farmwells in Katpadi area. It will also increase the groundwater level to a distance of at least three km in its vicinity. WRD officials said that at present, civic bodies, including Vellore Corporation, have borewells near the new dyke to draw water for domestic consumption. The new facility will help to increase water level in these bore wells.
The Hindu
02-07-2025
- General
- The Hindu
Rejuvenation of Saduperi irrigation tank near Vellore on fast track
Work to build man-made islands for local migratory birds, a boating facility, and a tiled walking track for visitors at Saduperi irrigation tank near Vellore Corporation limits on Chennai-Bengaluru Highway (NH-48) is on fast track with the deepening of the waterbody nearing completion. Minister Duraimurugan inspected the ongoing work, which was started in March by the Water Resources Department (WRD) that maintains the tanks, and urged officials to expedite the remaining works. 'The perennial tank helps to recharge the groundwater covering at least 8-10 villages in its surroundings. Most of these areas are farming villages,' E. Amrish, Assistant Engineer (AE), WRD (Vellore Anaicut), told The Hindu. Spread over 250 hectares, the tank, on average, can store 205 mcft (million cubic feet) of water. Under the Rehabilitation and Restoration of Twin Lakes scheme, the WRD took up the rejuvenation work at a cost of ₹19 crore. As part of it, Saduperi is being desilted to the original depth of 6.5 metres. The tank will be deepened to store additional rainwater during the monsoon. A tiled walkers' path is also being laid on the bund of the tank to a distance of 1.5 km. Hand failings are also fitted to prevent walkers, especially children, from falling into the tank. Steel seating arrangements will also be built on the walking track with adequate lighting facilities. Two man-made islands are being created at the centre of the tank to attract tourists. Native tree species will be planted on the islands. Saplings will be procured free of cost from the Department of Horticulture and farmers. It will draw a large number of local migratory birds to the tank. Boating facilities will also be constructed. WRD officials said that the southern end of the tank has a lot of human settlements. Most of the garbage was dumped in the tank, resulting in pollution. To prevent such illegal dumping, a two-metre-high steel fence will be erected around the tank to a distance of 1,700 metres. As part of efforts to ease access to the tank, WRD will lay a bitumen approach road for around two km to connect the tank with the Corporation areas like Thorapadi and Konavattam. It will reduce a detour of at least 8-10 km. The new stretch will also help WRD officials to inspect the waterbody during monsoon easily. At present, more than 15,000 residents in at least eight surrounding villages depend on the tank for water consumption. Borewells were laid around the bund of the tank by local bodies to meet the water needs of its residents. Of the 519 tanks in Vellore, 101 tanks are maintained by the WRD, including 16 tanks in Vellore taluk alone.
The Hindu
28-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Our priority is to speed up implementation of government schemes: Chief Minister Stalin
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin said on Saturday that his top priority was to speed up the implementation of government schemes that were lagging and to meet the expectations of the women and youth he had interacted with during his tour on June 25 and 26. 'In all districts, at least one family has benefitted from the schemes of the DMK government in the last four years. I interact with people to understand the benefits that have reached their districts and the employment opportunities created through industries,' he said, writing about his experience in the Vellore and Tirupattur districts. Mr. Stalin asserted that he does not get carried away by praise and was always open to constructive criticism and willing to make corrections. 'I reject criticism that stem from hatred,' he added. Seeking to put an end to reports that Minister Duraimurugan was no longer in his good books, the Chief Minister said it was a great experience to travel with Mr. Duraimurugan and hear about his political journey. 'He has worked with Anna and Kalaignar, and he continues to work with me. That proves his commitment,' he said. Mr. Stalin also appreciated the arrangements made by Minister for Public Works E.V. Velu during his visit to Tirupattur, where he unveiled the statue of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. He also recalled his emotional one-on-one meeting with Killai Ravichandran from Cuddalore. 'The path of the Dravidian movement is clear — it connects party cadre with the people. It will overcome all obstacles and unite everyone under one front,' he added.
New Indian Express
25-06-2025
- Health
- New Indian Express
CM Stalin draws large crowds as he inaugurates Rs 197.81 crore super-speciality hospital in Vellore
VELLORE: On the first day of his two-day visit to Vellore and Tirupattur districts, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Wednesday inaugurated the newly constructed Pentland Government Vellore Super Multi-Speciality Hospital, built at a cost of Rs197.81 crore. The facility, located within the historic Pentland Hospital campus, is expected to significantly enhance tertiary healthcare services in the region. In addition to the flagship hospital, the Chief Minister also inaugurated several public health infrastructure projects across Vellore district, including new buildings for seven Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and two Sub-Health Centres, constructed at a total cost of rS 7 crore. The upgraded PHCs are located in Serkadu (Rs 1.20 crore), Thiruvalam (Rs 1.20 crore), Odugathur (Rs 50 lakh), Usur (Rs 50 lakh), Ponnai (Rs 1.20 crore), Lakshmipuram under the Vellore Corporation (Rs 60 lakh), and Thorappadi (Rs 1.20 crore). Sub-Health Centres in Pernampet and Anicuttu Mahamadupuram were also inaugurated, each built at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. The event was attended by senior ministers including Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan, Public Works Minister E.V. Velu, Handlooms and Textiles Minister R. Gandhi, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, and Minority Welfare Minister S.M. Nasar. Lok Sabha MPs S. Jagathrakshakan (Arakkonam) and D.M. Kathir Anand (Vellore), MLAs A.P. Nandakumar (Anaicut), Karthikeyan (Vellore), Amalu Vijayan (Gudiyatham), Eswarappan (Arcot), Vellore Mayor Sujatha Anandakumar, and Vellore District Collector V.R. Subbulakshmi were also present.
New Indian Express
21-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
As Andhra Pradesh bans TN mangoes, traders shut shops in support of farmers
VELLORE: Over 100 shops in the Bharatharami area of Vellore district downed shutters on Friday in solidarity with the mango farmers, who have been reeling under losses following a ban imposed by the Chittoor district administration in Andhra Pradesh on allowing Totapuri mangoes from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to enter AP. However, when asked about the state's response to the traders' strike and the mounting distress among farmers, Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan offered a terse response stating that the Tamil Nadu government will take action, without elaborating further. He made the remark while addressing the press following the inauguration of a newly-built Government Arts and Science College at KV Kuppam in Vellore. The college was virtually inaugurated by Chief Minister MK Stalin on Friday. Speaking at the event, Duraimurugan said, 'The people of this constituency have been demanding a college for a long time, and today the chief minister has fulfilled it.' A request has also been made for a 100-bed hospital to be set up in the area, which would be taken up with the chief minister, he added. However, the function was briefly disrupted when KV Kuppam MLA and AIADMK ally Poovai Jaganmoorthy rushed to the stage before the minister finished his speech. After Duraimurugan's address, Jaganmoorthy insisted on speaking and asserted that he had promised to establish the college and was actively pushing for a hospital. 'As MLA of this constituency, I will continue to press the state government for additional concessions,' he said.
