Major irrigation schemes were planned in Kamaraj’s period . Lower Bhavani, Mani Muthuar , Cauvery Delta , Aarani River , Vaigai Dam , Amravathi , Sathanur , Krishnagiri , Pullambadi , Parambikulam and Neyaru Dams were among them . The Lower Bhavani Dam in Coimbatore district was constructed with an expenditure of Rs 10/- Crores. 2,07,000 acres of land are under cultivation.
45,000 acres of land are benefited through Mettur canal of Salem. Another scheme was Krishnagiri in the same district. Vaigai , Sathanur facilitate to cultivate thousands of acres of lands in Madurai and North Arcot districts respectively. Rs 30 crores were planned to spend for Parambikulam River scheme in Kamaraj’s period. This has helped for the development of Coimbatore district in agriculture field
In 1957-61 1,628 Tanks were de-silted under Small Irrigation Scheme 2000 wells were digged with outlets. Long term loans with 25% subsidy were given to farmers. Apart from formers who are having dry lands were given oil engines , electric pump sets on installment basis.
150 lakhs of acres of lands were cultivated during Kamaraj’s period. One third of this i.e. 56 lakhs of acres of land get permanent watering facility.
Industries with an investment in crores of Rupees were started in his period. Neyveli Lignite Scheme , Raw photo film industry at Nilgri , Surgical instruments factory at Guindy , Sugar factories , Bi-Carbonates factories , Cement factories , Railway coach factory at Avadi , Mettur paper industry , were started only in the period of Kamaraj. These are the back-bone of the development of the nation.
Madras state stood first in India in providing electricity to rural areas.
13,300 villages were give electricity during 1955 – 61 . Using electric power for agriculture purpose Madras state stands first.
Expense to improve electricity at Madras in 1959 was Rs.2.71 crores. Hydro power station at Periyar was constructed at an expenditure of Rs.9 crores . 1 lakh K.W. of electricity produced under this scheme.
Kunda Dam project was constructed at an expenditure of Rs 3.5 crores. Nehruji inaugurated this project. It was completed in a very short period by over engineers which made foreigners to wonder. In 1958-59 the investment in electricity connection was 95 crores and the income increased to Rs 12 crores.
Avadi Congress Conference was held in 20th January 1956. It was 6th Conference . Kamaraj constructed a city and named it as Sathyamoorthy nagar.
Kamaraj told to Mr.S.S.Vasan who took the responsibility of decoration that it was not important one to say that he had not seen such a decoration there before ,but it was important that one to say that he had not seen such a beautiful conference even after 25 years.
Nehruji appreciated the decoration . Nehruji unveiled the statue of Sathyamoorthy. The Avadi Congress had increased the prestige of Southern people in Northern part of India.
People donated food grains for the meals. Kamaraj’s mother came to Avadi Conference from Virudhunagar. Nehruji took photograph with his mother. In memory of Srinivasa Iyengar the AICC president his daughter Ambuja Ammal was nominated as the leader of reception committee.
News papers wrote that Kamaraj was the main reason for the unforgettable Avadi Conference in the history of Congress.
Moulana Azad proposed to form a society of equality in the action committee meeting. Kamaraj seconded the proposal. In the conference when all participated Nehru proposed this and Kamaraj seconded.
Kamaraj said ” Only hard labor will save people. Wealth should not be massed with one group. No violence is necessary to form equality in society. It is also not desirable. Gandhiji got the freedom in a peaceful way. Let us form this society in the same way.
When Nehru came to Madras in 1936 Kamaraj joined with him in the tour. Since 1949 he attended the AICC meeting . Avadi Congress conference was a turning point to Kamaraj
Under Kamaraj’s administration, a number of irrigation schemes were completed in record time. The Land Ceiling Act and the Tenancy Protection Act benefited small farmers and saved them from being exploited by landlords. Medium and small scale industries prospered in the midst of large industries making Madras one of the leaders in industrialization. Nehru complimented Kamaraj for making Madras (later renamed State of Tamil Nadu) the best administered State in India.”