Foundation stone for the second pipeline to supply drinking water to Kayalpatnam residents in Tiruchendur taluk was laid on Sunday by Labour Minister S. T. Chellapandian.

The work would be executed at an estimated cost of Rs. 29.67 crore under the Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns. Eighty percent of the project cost will be contributed by the central government, 10 percent by the State government and the rest by Kayalpatnam, a second grade municipality, which has a populace of more than 40 lakh.

Pipeline would be laid from Ponankurichi along Tamirabarani River, which is situated 36 kilometer away from Kayalpatnam, to meet the water requirements of residents in 18 wards of the municipality. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.

Collector Ashish Kumar said the district administration would extend all support to serve the community.

M.S. Mohammed Salih, a resident of Appa Palli Street, Kayalpatnam, said 36 lakh litres of water is required to meet the consumption demands of the residents in the municipality everyday but, only 21 lakh litres of water was being supplied from Authoor through the TWAD Board. With 19 overhead tanks in existence and one more tank to come up, the residents can hope to get fresh individual water supply connections. More than 8, 000 individual domestic water supply connections exist as of now, Mr. Salih informed.

Wavoo S. Seyed Abdur Rahman, former Chairman of the Municipality, recalled that a lot of efforts were taken to lay the second pipeline project.

T.A.S. Abubucker of Hajiappa Thaikka Street said the whole of Kayalpatnam was looking forward to completion of the project at the earliest.

N. Chinnadurai, Chairman, District Panchayat, I. Abida Sheik, Chairman, Kayalatnam, Second Grade Municipality, councillors and officials attended.

Freebies distributed

Mixies, wet grinders and electric fans were given to beneficiaries at a programme organised at Selvanayahapuram here on Sunday. Labour Minister S. T. Chellapandian gave away the freebies in the presence of Collector Ashish Kumar.

According to a statement, the Minister said people from all walks of life were enjoying the benefits of the welfare schemes launched by the State government.

Old age pension benefits, widow assistance and differently abled welfare assistance were extended to 104 beneficiaries. Kamala, Deputy Collector (Special Schemes), welcomed the gathering. Alwar, Tahsildar, Tuticorin, N. Chinnadurai, Chairman, District Panchayat and others attended.