The Save Vellayani Lake Campaign committee has urged the State government to strongly resist attempts by Tamil Nadu to divert water from Neyyar to its side as it would adversely impact groundwater situation in the city and adjoining areas.
Vice-president of the district panchayat Rufus Daniel, who is chairman of the committee, in a statement said if water from Neyyar was diverted to Tamil Nadu it would create a drought like situation in the district. The Vellayani, a source of drinking water to several areas in the city, gets a good part of water from Neyyar sourced through canals. Once water from the river was diverted to Tamil Nadu, flow of water to the lake would reduce thereby creating water scarcity in the city Corporation and 40 grama panchayats in the district, the statement said.
The government should conduct a proper study to assess the impact that may arise due to diversion of water to Tamil Nadu, the statement said. The government should send a delegation to New Delhi to apprise the Union government of the situation, Mr Daniel said.
