'Foundation stone for Athikadavu-Avinashi water scheme by Feb

The over 50 year dream of people to see the Athikadavu-Avinashi water scheme fructify would soon become a reality as the foundation stone for the project would be laid by this month end, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami said here Wednesday.

The tender process for the Rs 1,652 crore project had already been issued, he said.

"The foundation stone for the project, the over 50 year dream of the people and farmers, will be laid by end of February," he said.

The chief Minister said some more areas like S S Kulam, Periyanaickenplayam and Annur West have been added under phase II of the project, following requests from local MLAs, MPs and also farmers.

The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating a Rs 1.5 crore memorial to farmers icon, Narayanasamy Naidu at Vaiyampalayam about 40 Kms from here,
Nearly 25,000 acres of agriculture stand to benefit from the scheme, which will also be a