ERODE: Public Works Department Minister K V Ramalingam on Sunday said that Tamil Nadu would not allow Kerala to construct a new dam across Mullaiperiyar in place of the existing over century-old reservoir.“TN will strongly oppose any plan of Kerala to demolish the old dam and construct a new dam in its place.According to our government, the existing dam itself is more safe,” he said. According to him, the chief secretary and other top government officials have already apprised the high level panel of the ‘sturdiness’ of the dam.The Minister told journalists here that linking of rivers flowing in the State would solve the water scarcity problem and the government would take steps to link rivers flowing in TN. “The AIADMK government led by Jayalalithaa will insist on the Union Government for linking of rivers,” he said.On the ensuing North West Monsoon, he said that, “All efforts would be taken to desilt all important water courses to avoid floods. We plan to construct check dams to tap rain water and surplus river water in necessary places.” Similarly, schemes would be formulated to improve the Lower Bavani canal project in Erode. “Usually, the dam would be opened on June 12. But, this year, the CM advanced it. So, to ensure water till tail-end area of Tanjore delta ayacut, orders were issue to desilt the canals there. The work would be completed before June 5.” On the long-pending Athikdavu-Avinasi water project, he said that the CM would allot funds for the project in the ensuing Budget.The PWD Minister also said that all efforts would be taken to address the pollution problem in water routes like the Kalingarayan canal and the Cauvery river.
Comments
0 comment