Anbumani Ramadoss urged political parties to unite against the Karnataka government’s move to construct a dam across Cauvery river in Mekedatu. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) president Anbumani Ramadoss, party floor leader Sowmiya Anbumani and PMK MLAs met Water Resources Minister N. Anand and Public Works Department Minister Aadhav Arjuna at the Secretariat in Chennai on Monday (July 6, 2026), to discuss about the importance of investing heavily in water resource and water management projects across Tamil Nadu.Dr. Anbumani urged the State government to implement 12 water management projects, and said around ₹1 lakh crore should be invested in water projects over the next 10 years despite the financial burden experienced by the State.Speaking to the reporters after the meeting, Dr. Anbumani, while reiterating the meeting should not be viewed as indicative of an electoral alliance, said, “We held a consultation with the Water Resources Minister, Water Resources Department officials, the Public Works Minister, and the Chief Minister’s Special Advisor.”He added, “The government is engaging in constructive politics, and I am happy about that. The question, however, is how the government intends to implement these projects, because it lacks financial resources. In my opinion, it represents the greatest failure of the Dravidian parties in water management. Over the past 45 years, Tamil Nadu’s irrigated area has shrunk by four million acres. Only by investing in water management projects can we prevent future water shortages.”He said spending on water management projects is entirely capital expenditure. “This is precisely the kind of expenditure that should be financed through borrowing. Instead, governments keep borrowing to fund welfare measures such as the ₹1,000 entitlement scheme and Pongal assistance. To safeguard future generations, the government must focus on investing in water management projects.”He also urged political parties to unite against the Karnataka government’s move to construct a dam across Cauvery river in Mekedatu. Published - July 07, 2026 10:43 am IST
