more-in Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan on Tuesday released Vaigai water stored in the Big Tank here to the ooranies (waterbodies) in the municipality limit to augment groundwater recharge and meet the drinking water needs of the people. Accompanied by District Revenue Officer (DRO) S. Muthumari, Executive Engineer (lower Vaigai division, Paramakudi) S. Venkitakrishnan and other officials, the Minister released water from the seventh sluice on Tuesday by showering flower petals and asked the officials to ensure that the water reached all the waterbodies without wastage. Pointing out that the Big Tank has been a major source for augmenting groundwater sources, he said during last December also all the 60 odd ooranies in the municipal limit were filled. As of now, the water level in the Big Tank stood at 3.75 ft and it would be sufficient to fill the waterbodies, he added. Thanking Chief Minister Edpaddi K. Palaniswami and Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam for ordering release of water from Vaigai dam after his request on behalf of the people, he said the 909 mcft of water released to the district from September 14 to 19 had reached the Big Tank on September 20. Though the quantum of water released was slightly less than the water released in December last, Mr. Manikandan said it would be of great help to recharge the groundwater level. He said areas right from Parthibanur, the entry point in the district, were benefited by the release of the water.

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