Act fast to halt Kerala’s dam plan, says Vaiko

The project, if completed, will affect farmers and 80 lakh beneficiaries of drinking water schemes

MDMK general secretary Vaiko takes out a march at Udumalpet on Saturday aspart of the party’s protest against Kerala’s move to construct a dam across the Pambar.

The Tamil Nadu government must act fast to prevent Kerala from building a dam across the Pambar and protect the interests of the farmers of the region, MDMK general secretary Vaiko said on Saturday.

At a meeting held at Udumalpet near here, he said Tamil Nadu should move the Supreme Court, if need be. The Centre must ensure that the farmers and people of Tamil Nadu did not lose their rightful share of Pambar water. Both the Centre and the State should not remain mute spectators to Kerala laying the foundation for the Rs. 26-crore dam.

The project, if completed, would affect farmers who had raised crops on hundreds of acres and nearly 80 lakh beneficiaries of the 49 combined drinking water schemes drawing water from the Amaravathi, Mr. Vaiko said.

Mr. Vaiko said Kerala was taking up the project without getting the environment clearance.

A MDMK release said the flow into the Amaravathi dam was six tmc ft less than the required 18 tmc ft. If Kerala built a check-dam, it would render the 60,000 acres fallow and reduce the quantum of water for the drinking water schemes.