Tamil Nadu has asked Kerala to issue firm instructions to its forest, police and water resources department officials not to interfere in the day-to-day management of the Mullaperiyar dam.
Tamil Nadu Chief Secretary Mohan Verghese Chunkath on Friday wrote to his Kerala counterpart E.K. Bharat Bhushan to issue firm instructions to his government officials to avoid interference in managing the dam.
Mr. Chunkath said Kerala forest officials had stopped vehicle carrying sand to the dam site on November 25 and only after prolonged telephonic conversation the Periyar Tiger Reserve Deputy Director, allowed the material to be transported to the site late that evening.
On November 11, the Tamil Nadu PWD officials in-charge of the dam were virtually prevented from getting into the boat at Thekkady to proceed to the dam, he pointed out.
Reminding Mr. Bhushan of his letter last month promising Kerala’s cooperation, Mr. Chunkath said the virtual prevention of Tamil Nadu PWD officials from discharging their normal duty, stopping transportation of materials and machinery to the dam site and non-cooperation of the forest department for restoration of power supply to the dam amounted to interference in the day-to-day management of the dam.
“If such actions of the Kerala forest and water resources departments continue, it will be very difficult for the Tamil Nadu engineers to discharge their duty, especially in an emergency situation,” Mr. Chunkath cautioned.
Failure of action on the Kerala side could result in Tamil Nadu approaching the Supreme Court, he hinted by mentioning his letter of November 17 when Tamil Nadu had to write to the Centre and file an Interlocutory Application in the court seeking the posting of Central Industrial Security Force personnel at the dam after the Kerala police failed to stop certain unauthorised persons from entering the dam site.
