Stalin wants to develop ‘Chola Gangam’ dug by Rajendra Chola I at ₹20 crore

In view of the birth anniversary of the legendary Tamil king Rajendra Chola I on Aadi Thiruvathirai on July 23 this year, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on Tuesday announced that the ‘Chola Gangam’ lake would be developed at a cost of ₹12 crore. He also announced that tourist activities at the site would be developed at a cost of ₹7.25 crore.

Chola Gangam also known as ‘Ponneri’, was dug by king Rajendra Chola I to celebrate his northern campaign, according to Tiruvalangadu Copper Plates. As per the announcement made by the Chief Minister, the banks of the tank spread over 700 acres would be strengthened, an official release said.

Renovation of channels around the tank and other maintenance works would be undertaken. These works would help in the irrigation in the area and would thereby benefit farmers in 1,374 acres. The development activities to be undertaken by the Tourism Department would include establishing an information centre, park, perimeter walls, surveillance cameras, electricity and other amenities.

The Tamil Nadu government has been celebrating the birth anniversary of the legendary Tamil king Rajendra Chola I on Aadi Thiruvathirai since 2021, it said. It has already in the process of establishing a museum spread over 10 acres at a cost of ₹22.10 crore. Preliminary works for establishing the museum is already on, the release said.