Parliamentarian Kanimozhi Karunanidhi laid the foundation stone for a combined drinking water project at Mapilaiyoorani, with the expectation of supplying drinking water to five lakh people living in four unions, on behalf of the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD). The estimated cost of the scheme work is 5.15 billion. Social welfare and women empowerment minister Geeth Jeevan, fisheries minister Anitha R Radhakrishnan, and other dignitaries were present on the occasion. District collector Dr K Senthil Raj stated that 16 MLD of water from the Thamirabarani river bed at Agaram village would be obtained to extend the water supply to 363 residential areas in six unions -- Thoothukudi, Ottapidaram, Kayathar, Kovilpatti, Pudur, and Vilathikulam-- within three assembly constituencies in the district. He mentioned that over 1 lakh house service connections would be provided, benefiting at least five lakh people. The collector also requested Kanimozhi to take steps to develop another combined drinking water scheme for Sathankulam, Tiruchendur, and Udangudi unions, as the residents there had been petitioning him regarding water scarcity. After inaugurating the project, the MP expressed gratitude to Chief Minister MK Stalin for implementing the scheme. She stated, Although the project was estimated to be completed in 18 months, the contractor has agreed to finish it in just 12 months. Along with constructing 62 tanks and 40 sumps, the project includes renovating existing overhead tanks. Furthermore, I appeal to all concerned departments to expedite the work related to this project. Geetha Jeevan, on the occasion, mentioned that the project is expected to be available for public use by October next year. She stated, The previous AIADMK government only laid pipes and failed to create any water sources. However, the DMK government has created water sources according to the requirements and has also arranged the necessary infrastructure. Ottapidaram MLA MC Shanmugaiah, Vilathikulam MLA GV Markandeyan, district panchayat president A Brammasakthi, Mapilaiyoorani panchayat president Saravanakumar, TWAD Chief Engineer Ragupathy, Tahsildar Prabakaran, and other officials were present during the inauguration. Also read: Only 0.18% buildings in Nagpur have rainwater harvesting Ganga river pollution: All drains to be geo-tagged