The Supreme Court-appointed special committee has reiterated that Kerala should lay a road to the Periyar dam site from Vallakadavu and provide electricity supply to the dam to enable Tamil Nadu to undertake strengthening work in the baby dam, said committee chairman LAV Nathan.
Talking to reporters after presiding over committee’s seventh meeting here on Monday, he said that the two facilities were important to carry out the strengthening work at the dam.
The committee also asked Kerala Irrigation Secretary, who is also a member, V.J Kurian, to persuade Kerala to take some initiative in this connection.
The two State governments should sort out the critical issues amicably to start the work, essential to increase the storage level to 152 feet. The approach road to Kerala and power connection to the dam site was still pending. Strengthening of the baby dam was essential to ensure the safety of the dam, he added.
Reacting to it, the Kerala member said several rules had to be followed and clearances obtained from various bodies, the including Green Bench and the National Wildlife Board.
It will take some time to get clearance. “After obtaining all clearances, we will undertake these works,” Mr. Kurian said.
He also hoped that Kerala would certainly convince the Tamil Nadu to construct a new dam near the old dam as the existing one would not withstand in the long run. “We had conducted the feasibility study only. Water to Tamil Nadu and safety to Kerala should be ensured. The Committee’s advice will be taken by the Kerala in full spirit”, he stated.
Dam inspection
Earlier, the committee inspected the Periyar main dam and baby dam here. The committee interacted with PWD officials and checked seepage levels in the baby dam. They held discussion with Kerala irrigation officials on undertaking repair works in the baby dam and removal of trees near it to undertake strengthening work. Owing to heavy rain, they could not spend much time at the dam site.
