Annual salt production commences in Vedaranyam after a 90-day break

NAGAPATTINAM: Salt pans of Vedaranyam area in Nagapattinam district have commenced the annual production works after a 90-day lull.

Every year salt production begins with special poojas during the Tamil Month 'Thai'. The production works continue non-stop till the onset of the North East Monsoon, up to late September or early October.

During rainy season, salt pans will mostly remain inundated. Again, during late-January or early-February the works will begin with Poojas.

"This year, in all the salt pans, works have commenced now," said SS Thennarasu, Treasurer of Federation of Salt Manufacturers Associations of Nagapattinam district.

Salt is being produced in about 10,000 acres along the Vedaranyam coast at various villages including Agasthyampalli, Kodiakadu, Kadnelvayal and Vedaranyam.

With the production of over 4.5 lakh tonnes of salt a year, Vedaranyam occupies the second position in the state in salt production.

More than 25,000 workers are engaged in salt production activities in this area.