Govt told to stop Kerala from building dam across Siruvani

COIMBATORE: The Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam on Thursday urged the state government to stop the Kerala government from constructing a check dam across Siruvani river at Nellipathy on Kulikadavu-Chittoor Road, stating it would cause water shortage in Coimbatore and neighbouring districts.
Ku Ramakrishnan, general secretary, Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam, said the check dam was nearing completion. “It will cause water shortage and threaten the livelihood of people in Coimbatore and nearby places. If appropriate steps are not taken by the state government, it will embolden the Kerala government to construct more check dams.”
He said the Kerala government was planning to construct two more such check dams. He also came down on the Kerala government for not allowing Siruvani dam to its full reservoir level during monsoon. “While the full reservoir level is 50ft, water is allowed only up to 45ft. Siruvani dam is one of the main sources of drinking water for Coimbatore city corporation.”
He said if the check dam work was not stopped immediately, they would hold a massive protest by mobilizing all political parties, general public and activists. “We will announce the date for protest later.”
An official with the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) said the check dam was being constructed across the river carrying excess water from Siruvani reservoir to Bhavani river and not on the water pathway to Siruvani reservoir.
“It appears that the Kerala government has not obtained any clearance from the Cauvery Water Management Authority for the construction of the check dam,” he said.
Coimbatore collector Kranti Kumar Pati said the water resources department was looking into the issue. “The water resources minister has given clarifications on the issue in the assembly and there is nothing more to add to it.”
The water level in Siruvani dam, meanwhile, came down to 6.36ft on Friday. The city corporation is drawing only 40 million litres of water per day from the dam in view of water scarcity, while it is allowed to draw 101MLD.
Officials said only rain could save the city from the looming water crisis. “Water in the dam will be sufficient only up to mid-May,” a corporation official said.