| TN, Kerala lock horns over move to build dam across Siruvani river |
CHENNAI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Notwithstanding Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s opposition, Kerala on Thursday said it gives top priority for the long-delayed Attapadi irrigation project across Siruvani river, which would benefit tribals and backward areas in Palakkad district.
Taking strong exception to Kerala’s plan to construct a dam, Jayalalithaa on Thursday shot off a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking him to advise Kerala not to proceed with the irrigation scheme or any other project on the Siruvani in violation of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final order.
She asked the federal government not to accord it technical clearance as it “violates” the final order.
Maintaining that Kerala gave top priority for the scheme, Kerala Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph said in the state assembly that this was not a new project, but something that had been pending for long. Replying to a submission by Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala, he said the state would soon seek environmental clearance from the federal government for revival of the project, estimated to cost Rs5,600 million.
The proposal envisaged building a dam across Siruvani river in Chittoor taluk of Palakkad district at a height of 51.50m and 442m length. The proposed dam would have a capacity to hold 65 million cubic metres of water to irrigate 4,900 hectares and generate 3MW power. Besides, the project would provide drinking water to all panchayats in the Attapadi area, which has a string of tribal settlements.
In Chennai, Jayalalithaa said: “There is wide apprehension among the people that the entire city of Coimbatore and its adjoining areas, dependent on Siruvani for their drinking water needs, will be totally affected if Kerala is allowed to build the dam”.
Press Trust of India
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