‘Stop Kerala’s move to construct check dam at Kottathurai’

COIMBATORE: An all-party delegation from Tamil Nadu staged a protest near Anaikatti here on Wednesday against the Kerala government’s move to set up check dams in Siruvani river, saying this would affect the potable water supply to Coimbatore and its neighbouring districts in the future.
“Kerala has already constructed two check dams at Manjakandi and Thekkuvattai. Now, it is constructing a new one at Kottathurai. This should be stopped,” said K Ramakrishnan of Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhagam (TPDK).

N Karthik of DMK told reporters that the AIADMK government has to take steps to stop le Left government in Kerala from constructing the new check dam at Kottathurai. “If they continue to set up such check dams across Siruvani, it will hit the water flow to Bhavani river, leaving the farmers in Erode, Mettupalayam and other neighbouring districts in the lurch. Also, Coimbatore’s water supply is heavily depended on Pillur and Siruvani. The central and the state governments should initiate talks and stop such unauthorised constructions,” he said.

Leaders belonging to DMK, Congress, MDMK, TPDK, VC and Aadhi Tamizhar Peravai participated in the protest. “We wanted to go to the check dam construction site, but the police stopped us,” said Mayura Jayakumar of Congress.

TPDK general secretary Ku Ramakrishnan said they would meet the Kerala chief minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, soon. “We will meet him to discuss the issue,” he said.

Prominent leaders such as Adhiyaman and Susi Kalaiarasan, besides office-bearers and cadres of all political parties, also took part in the protest.

Following the protest, the police have beefed up security on both the sides of the inter-state border.