Minister lays stone for projects in Arittapatti

Madurai: Commercial taxes and registration minister P Moorthy on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for developmental projects worth Rs6.20 crore under rural development and panchayat raj departments. The projects will be executed at Arittapatti village in Melur block and Kovilpapakudi in Madurai West block of Madurai district.

Moorthy told reporters that chief minister M K Stalin had protested against the proposed tungsten mining at Arittapatti and passed a resolution in the assembly with the support of all parties. Through strong measures, the CM took up the issue with the Union govt, leading to cancellation of the mining auction. He also ordered improvements to the infrastructure facilities in and around Arittapatti, said the minister.

Accordingly, 17 projects worth Rs1.20 crore, including expanding drinking water facilities, auditorium and crematorium, will be executed in the region, he said. Similarly, the govt will undertake the laying of 40 paver block roads at a cost of Rs5 crore in Kovilpapakudi village in Madurai West, said Moorthy. He assured the villagers that all these projects would be executed in a month. People can approach the authorities with their demands as the govt focuses on providing drinking water, roads and street lights on a priority basis, he added. District collector M S Sangeetha, additional collector Monika Rana, rural development department executive engineer Indhumathi, and officials accompanied the minister.