Chennai, Jan 19 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, inaugurated the Mamallan Reservoir Project on Monday at Nemmeli along the East Coast Road (ECR) in the Chengalpattu district, marking a crucial advancement in bolstering water security for the rapidly expanding southern suburbs of Chennai.

The project, valued at Rs 342.60 crore and to be executed by the Water Resources Department, is designed to enhance the drinking water supply and improve long-term water management in the area.

During his address, Chief Minister Stalin emphasized the significance of water governance, stating that managing water resources is as vital as overseeing a nation's finances.

He reflected on the historical context, noting that Tamil civilization has thrived around water sources, with communities historically establishing settlements near sustainable water bodies.

"This project will be remembered in history as one that benefitted Chennai's growing regions," he stated.

Recalling the Pallava dynasty, he mentioned that the rulers of the Pallava era had established 39 lakes in Kancheepuram to ensure water security and had developed a structured system for maintaining these water bodies.

He pointed out that the Pallava king Narasimhavarman I, known as 'Mamallan', was the founder of Mamallapuram.

"Given that the new reservoir is being constructed near this historic region, naming it the Mamallan Reservoir is fitting," added CM Stalin.

In response to criticisms aimed at the DMK government, he addressed claims suggesting that the state government had failed to construct reservoirs.

To counter these allegations, he stated that from 1967 to 2011, under DMK administrations, a total of 43 reservoirs were built across Tamil Nadu, and he recited their names to support his rebuttal.

Highlighting the DMK government's accomplishments in the water sector, he pointed out that the Mettur dam had been opened on schedule for the past five years, restoration projects in the Cauvery delta had been initiated to assist farmers, and extensive infrastructure works had been undertaken.

These projects encompass 121 check dams, 63 anaicuts, desilting over 40,000 lakes, and restoring approximately 1.3 lakh kilometers of drains.

He also referenced the Thamirabarani–Karumeniyar–Nambiyar interlinking canal project that was launched in February of the previous year.

Describing the Mamallan Reservoir project, the Chief Minister stated that it would be situated in the Kovalam basin, spanning areas between Thiruporur and Thirukazhukundram along the ECR–OMR corridor.

Covering an area of 5,100 acres with a storage capacity of 1.65 TMC and a bund length of 34 kilometers, the reservoir will prevent excess water from the Manamathi lake from flowing into the sea.

Instead, it will retain water between Thiruvandandhai and Kokilamedu, supply 170 million litres per day, serve approximately 13 lakh people in regions such as Sholinganallur, Medavakkam, Pallikaranai, Siruseri, and Mamallapuram, avert seawater intrusion, and support fishermen through the restoration of a 15-kilometer stretch of the Buckingham Canal with guaranteed fishing rights.