Kumbakonam (TN): Petroleum and Panchayat Raj Minister Mani Shankar Ayiar today (May 29, 2004) assured the Cauvery water dispute would be amicably resolved shortly, saying he had already spoken about it to Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He had also held a detailed discussion with Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president and former Chief Minister M Karunanidhi regarding the dispute in sharing of the river water between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, Aiyar, touring his Mayiladuthurai Lok Sabha constituency to thank the voters for electing him, told newsmen today.

Union Water Resources Minister P R Das Munshi was also aware of the gravity of the problem faced in the Cauvery delta region having toured the area. "We are all keen to find a solution and revive the farm section," he said.

Aiyar said he would take steps for the formation of a new "Delta district" with Mayiladuthurai or Kumbakonam as capital.

He had also had taken steps to start a fishing training college at Tarangambadi, and also set up two fishing ports in Poompuhar and Tirumullavasal. He had already talked to the Union Surface Transport Minister in this regard.

Stating that he was keen to industrialise his constituency, Aiyar, however, said before that he wanted to resolve the Cauvery dispute and revive the farm sector and drinking water problem in the region.