Athikadavu-Avinashi Groundwater Recharge and Drinking Water Supply Scheme is all set to be launched this Saturday.

The project aims to divert 1.5 Thousand Million Cubic Feet (TMC) of surplus water of Bhavani river to the lakes, ponds and other water bodies in the drought-prone regions of Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode districts as a boost to their ground water tables.

The surplus water from the river will be used to refill water bodies in drought-prone areas for 70 days a year. This will help irrigate 24,468 acres of land across the three districts and improve groundwater levels in the dry regions.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will inaugurate the scheme virtually on August 17th. The project would benefit 1,045 water bodies, including 74 lakes and 971 ponds, which together would get 1.5 TMC of water annually.