Tamil groups oppose Kerala's proposed dam across Siruvani
Synopsis
Thanthai Periyar Dravida Kazhakam (TPDK) today said it will oppose tooth and nail the proposed move by Kerala government to construct a dam across Siruvani and prevent it at any cost.
Blaming the Centre and Kerala government for acting against Tamil Nadu in river water sharing issues, TPDK General Secretary K Ramakrishnan told reporters here that Tamil Nadu was remaining a mute spectator to all river-water sharing related issues.
Siruvani originates from Pallathaku in Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu and after flowing through Kerala, it again joins Bhavanisagar in the State, which has the exclusive rights on the river, while others can only utilise its water, Ramakrishnan pointed out.
He urged the Tamil Nadu government to take immediate steps to prevent the neighbouring state from taking measures to construct dams, as the fertile land along the Bhavani river will be damaged.
Kerala has already started preliminary works for construction of a dam and approached the Centre for approval, he claimed.
Stating that his organisation will oppose the move, Ramakrishna said, the future course of action will be decided after consulting with other political parties and like-minded organisations.
Earlier, in 2012, the Kerala government had raked up the old project to build a dam across the Siruvani river in Palakkad district bordering this district, following requests from farmers of Attappady in Kerala.
The move was objected to by the Tamil Nadu government, which even wrote to the then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to advise Kerala not to proceed with the project.