PTI

Tiruchirappalli, Jun 26: Tamil Nadu would become the first state in India to take up linking of intra-state rivers, with construction of a barrage across the Cauvery at Mayyanur to divert surplus water when the river is in spate, according to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Speaking after laying the foundation stone for the construction of the barrage at Kattalai near Mayyanur here on Tuesday night, he said the state government had for long been insisting on linking rivers at the National level.

The United progressive alliance government had also agreed to assess the feasibility, he said at the recent National development council meeting, he had insisted on linking the peninsular rivers and also central funding for the scheme, Karunanidhi said.

Quoting Union Minister for water resources Saifuddin SOZ's letter, he said projects on linking intra-state rivers would be funded under the accelerated irrigation benefits programme.

The state had sanctioned Rs 165 crore in anticipation of the central funding, he said.

He said the barrage would have the capacity to store 1.04 mcft and harness surplus water during floods. Surplus water would flow to Ramanathapuram district through a canal linking the Cauvery with the Agniyar, Koraiyar, Vaigai and Gundar.

He said Tamil Nadu always had to look to its neighbours for water. There was also no solution to the age old Cauvery dispute. Though the Cauvery water disputes tribunal had given its verdict, Karnataka was refusing to implement it.

“We have to ask for central intervention to get our share,” he said.

Karunanidhi said the DMK government was executing major projects, though it has to share the people's burden due to price rise. The centre was also supporting Tamil Nadu in implementing projects, he said.