Officials in Pollachi paid tribute on October 7 to leaders associated with the Parambikulam-Aliyar project, which began on the same date in 1961.
V. Sampath Kumar, Tamil Nadu’s Minister for the Welfare of Backward Classes, laid flowers at statues of former Chief Minister K. Kamaraj, former legislator V.K. Palanisami Gounder, former Union Finance Minister C. Subramaniam and former Pollachi legislator N. Mahalingam. The ceremony was held on the premises of the Water Resources Department chief engineer’s office.
After the event, Kumar told reporters that Project Day is observed every October 7 to mark the start of the Parambikulam-Aliyar irrigation project in 1961. He said the observance is intended to recall the leaders’ contributions and raise awareness among young people about water management and conservation. A collection of photographs about their work will also be displayed on campus.
District and local officials, Water Resources Department staff, the Pollachi MP and regional legislators attended. Separate floral tributes were paid at Sholayar Dam in Valparai, where Public Works and Revenue Department officials honoured former Water Resources Minister K.L. Rao.