In a blow to Tamil Nadu’s agricultural heartland, the much-touted Nandanathai Vazhi Kaveri River Revival Scheme worth Rs 14,000 crore is unlikely to break ground before the upcoming assembly elections. Administrative snarls and funding delays have pushed back what was envisioned as a major ecological and irrigation boost.
Opposition leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami of AIADMK has turned the setback into a rallying cry, slamming the DMK regime for sabotaging the project despite central nod. ‘The union government greenlit it ages ago—why the inaction?’ he questioned publicly.
Water Resources Department insiders rebutted claims of political interference, pointing to bureaucratic red tape. Coordinating approvals from finance, power utilities, revenue, and at least nine other agencies has proven daunting. ‘The project’s vast scope makes pre-election launch improbable,’ one official noted candidly.
Funding for phase one stands approved at Rs 934 crore under the 60:40 center-state model—Rs 560 crore from Delhi, Rs 374 crore from Chennai. Efforts will first restore 1,092 km of the Kaveri from Mettur dam to Trichy, revitalizing key tributaries including Bhavani and Noyyal rivers. Phase two will tackle the final stretch to the Bay of Bengal.
Farmers in the fertile delta region decry years of neglect amid rising pollution. ‘Urban sprawl and factories have choked our lifeline,’ said Thiruvarur’s M. Ramasamy, 52. ‘Polluted waters mean dying fish, ruined fields, and unsafe drinking sources.’ Echoing official reports, he highlighted basin-wide contamination.
Proposed interventions feature advanced sewage plants, textile waste treatment facilities, and shoreline restoration. For tail-end farmers in districts like Nagapattinam, the stakes are high. Federation head K.V. Elankiran warned, ‘Water shortages force single-crop cycles— this revival could unlock multi-season farming and economic resurgence.’
With accusations flying, the controversy spotlights governance challenges in balancing mega-projects against political calendars, leaving delta communities in limbo.