MADURAI
The Madras High Court Bench here on Thursday directed the Public Works Department Secretary to submit a status report by August 17 on the steps taken by the State Government to desilt various dams in the State, the progress achieved so far and the time frame within which the works were expected to be completed.
Justices K.K. Sasidharan and G.R. Swaminathan issued the direction on two public interest litigation petitions – one for desilting dams in Kanniyakumari district and the other for desilting Aliyar reservoir, Amaravathi dam, Bhavanisagar dam, Kallanai dam, Kodiveri dam, Krishnagiri dam, Mettur dam, Papanasam dam, Pechiparai reservoir, Perunchani dam and Sathanur reservoir.
During the course of arguments on the two cases, Additional Advocate General B. Pugalendhi submitted before the court that it would cost ₹2,019.50 crore to desilt Pechiparai reservoir alone in Kanniyakumari district as per a detailed project report prepared by Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS), a Central public sector undertaking.
However, the State Government’s technical advisory committee on desilting of dams met in Chennai on January 19 and expressed its view that the cost quoted by the WAPCOS was too high. The issue was discussed again by the committee on March 30 and the WAPCOS was asked to submit “a final detailed project report based on current schedule of rates for the year 2016-17.”
