Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami today inaugurated the desilting of Manimangalam lake in Kancheepuram district.

The project following the tradition of Kudimaramathu to tackle water crisis in the State was flagged off by the Chief Minister.

“The scheme will be carried out by the State Government in partnership with citizens, self-help groups and farmer associations. A total of 1,519 projects in 30 districts involving Rs 100 crore would be taken up under the scheme,” Palaniswami said.

“Apart from cleaning water bodies, the scheme will also focus on the strengthening lake bunds and weeding out plants, including hyacinths,” he said. Though the north-east monsoon and south-west monsoons had failed, the government would take steps to ensure that people, especially farmers, got sufficient water. The problem of drinking water would be addressed on a war footing, he added.

issue of ithout water. ‘The drinking water problem will be addressed on war footing,’ he said,

The government was implementing various schemes announced by former chief minister J Jayalalithaa and would continue to work for the welfare of the people, Palaniswami said.

Apart from Kancheepuram, desilting would be taken up in various districts in the presence of Ministers, MPs, MLAs and District Collectors.