The five-member sub-committee, constituted by the Supreme Court-appointed High Power Supervisory Panel for Periyar Dam, inspected the main dam and the baby dam here on Wednesday.
The PWD officials from Tamil Nadu complained to the panel at a meeting about Kerala forest officials who, they said, disrupted often transportation of construction materials to strengthen the baby dam.
The Tamil Nadu officials charged that a few days ago lorries carrying sand were detained at Kerala forest check-post for more than four hours. “We had to carry construction materials only on lorries through Vallakadavu to reach Periyar dam.”
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Supervisory Panel for Periyar Dam Chairman L.A.V. Nathan had already advised Kerala not to disrupt maintenance and strengthening works carried out by TN officials and to act as per the SC guidelines.
Kerala said that checking and getting permission from higher officials were routine affairs. There was delay in getting permission from higher officials last time. They would grant permission, if the Tamil Nadu PWD intimated about movement of construction materials to the Forests and Irrigation Departments two days in advanceThe chairman took note of the charges levelled by the Tamil Nadu officials and replies from Kerala members.
Earlier, the team inspected the baby dam, gallery and the main dam and noted down readings, said PWD sources. The PWD planned to strengthen the baby dam at an estimated cost of Rs. 7.5 crore.
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