DMK, AIADMK make Athikadavu-Avinashi project phase- II promise to woo voters

COIMBATORE: Phase-II of the Athikadavu-Avinashi ground water recharge project has become a trending topic for the ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK to woo voters in Erode, Tirupur, and Coimbatore districts.

The previous AIADMK govt began work on the Phase-I of the Athikadavu-Avinashi groundwater recharging project in 2019. It was implemented in 2024. It was was designed as a pumping scheme to lift surplus water from the Bhavani river downstream of Kalingarayan anicut, just above its confluence point with the Cauvery river. It received a positive response from the farming community in the three districts.

The DMK govt is also keen on implementing Phase-II of the project. Addressing reporters at Bhavani in Erode district, minister for housing and urban development S Muthusamy said the state government had initiated a feasibility study for implementing Phase-II of the scheme.

“Phase-II of the Athikadavu project will be completely different from Phase-I. After the feasibility study is completed by a private company, the report will be sent to the chief minister for further discussion,” said the minister.

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami, who started his election campaign from Mettupalayam last month, said his party would implement the Phase-II project once it comes to power after the 2026 assembly elections.