On 07 December, 2025, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin dedicated a major new drinking water project which will bring Mullaperiyar river water to Madurai, expanding supply to 2,57,750 households.

The Rs 2,070.69-crore scheme, implemented under the Union government’s AMRUT programme, became fully operational after months of trial runs. A check dam built at Vairavanaar in the Lower Camp area enables the drawing of 125 MLD of water, which is pumped by four 425 HP motors to an overhead tank and carried through a 94-km pipeline to Pannaipatti. After treatment there, the water travels another 54 km to Madurai, where it is supplied through 38 new overhead tanks and 43 existing ones.

The project was originally launched during the AIADMK government, when Edappadi K Palaniswami laid the foundation stone, calling it “a milestone for Madurai’s future.” Delays pushed completion to the present administration, which finished the remaining work. Senior officials, including Corporation Commissioner Chitra Vijayan, recently inspected the completed facilities.