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Lifting the silt from the Vaigai dam would beryllium a long-drawn process and it would beryllium executed successful phases, said Tamil Nadu Minister for Law and Energy C. T. R. Nirmalkumar successful Theni connected Saturday (June 13, 2026).
Speaking to media persons aft inspecting the reservoir, helium said that the dam’s maximum retention level stood astatine 71 feet and it is apt that astir 15ft whitethorn beryllium filled with silt. The authorities has fixed its motion for lifting it, but the process would beryllium implemented successful a phased manner. Asked astir erstwhile the works would commence, helium said that aft technocrats’ response, they would spell ahead. “It is going to instrumentality 9 years to wholly wide the silt from the reservoir,” Mr. Nirmalkumar said. He added that the farmers’ interests would not beryllium compromised nether immoderate circumstances.
From the clip the dam was constructed by the erstwhile Chief Minister K. Kamaraj astir 70 years ago, the silt had ne'er been removed. The farmers person been warring with the governments successful this regard, but determination has been nary tangible response. Representatives of farmers’ associations who were contiguous said that erstwhile the h2o level was low, the cognition to region the silt should begin. With the Southwest monsoon turning active, determination is much scope for rainfall, which would pb to further delays, they apprehended.
Later, astatine a gathering held astatine the Theni Collectorate, the Minister told the officials from aggregate departments to enactment for the payment of the communal man. Each section had a important role. There were complaints, similar h2o theft, successful the Chinnamanoor block. Likewise, borderline issues persisted successful the district. The farmers excessively had problems with the Forest Department. Thus, successful the larger nationalist interest, each authoritative shall beryllium responsible, helium added.
District Collector R. Vaithinathan presided implicit the meeting. Officials from assorted departments, including SP Sneha Priya, MP Thanga Tamil Selvan, MLAs Jagannath Misra and K. Sabari Ayngaran and others, participated. The Minister gave distant payment assistance to 229 beneficiaries, including 50 women SHGs, totalling ₹6.25 crore connected the occasion.
