CM unveils Kalingarayan statue

Kalingarayan, hailed as a pioneer of river interlinking, began digging the Kalingarayan Canal in Erode district in 1270 AD at his own expense. The canal digging work was completed after approximately 12 years. The work, which started in Kalingarayanpalayam, Bhavani, Erode district, ended at the Noyyal River in Kodumudi, passing through Erode. The Kalingarayan Canal was completed over a total distance of 90 kilometers. More than 15,000 acres of land in Erode district receive irrigation facilities through the Kalingarayan Canal. Near the Rasa Kovil in Vellode, Chennimalai Union, Erode district, a 7-foot-tall life size bronze statue, along with a library, was erected by Minister Muthusamy at a cost of approximately Rs. 70 lakhs, as per the Chief Minister’s suggestion.
The Chief Minister inaugurated the Kalingarayan statue via video conference from the Chennai Secretariat.
Minister Muthusamy, MPs K.E. Prakash, Anthiyur Selvaraj, and MLAs Venkatachalam and Chandrakumar participated in the event.
Minister Muthusamy announced that Rs. 86 crore has been allocated for the improvement of the Kalingarayan Canal. Renovation work will be undertaken when the water is stopped in March.
Steps are being taken to prevent sewage from mixing with the Canal.  The Canal is being protected as per court orders. A baby canal has been constructed near the canal to prevent sewage from mixing with the canal water.