TIRUPUR: Farmers in the western districts hailed the state government’s additional allocation of Rs 1,000 crore for the Athikadavu-Avinashi potable water supply and irrigation scheme in its budget on Friday. Lauding the efforts of Edappadi K Palaniswami-led AIADMK government, they said this was the final push to realize the 60-year-old demand.With this, the total allocation for the project has touched Rs 1,250 crore. It is to be noted that Rs 250 crore was allocated in the last year’s budget. The Rs 1,652-crore project is expected to benefit drought-prone areas in Coimbatore, Tirupur and Erode districts as it would feed 32 PWD tanks, 42 panchayat union tanks and 971 ponds in the region.Last month, tender process for the project was completed, with two companies making their bids. The government is yet to finalize the successful bidder. The chief minister had on Wednesday said the project would be inaugurated this month itself.“We are elated about the budget allocation and it’s a victory of the people, who had continuously fought for the project. We are very optimistic about the project, as the government was the first one to take initiative with a promise to implement it,” said Dr D Prabu, convener, Federation of Athikadavu Avinashi Project Struggle Committee.R Kumar, district secretary, Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, said, “We applaud the government for its dedicated efforts to implement the project. At the same time, it should ensure that all the ponds and tanks would be benefitted. Moreover, the project should be completed within the promised time frame.”

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