MDMK, PDK oppose Kerala's move for dam across Siruvani

Coimbatore, Jun 18: MDMK and Periyar Dravida Kazhagam have opposed the

government's move to build a new dam across Siruvani and demanded that the state withdraw its plan as it would affect irrigation needs of two districts and drinking water supply to Coimbatore.

Kerala has decided to revive its 30-year old proposal to construct a dam across Siruvani in Palakkad district, bordering Coimbatore district, on requests by farmers of Attappady and nearby areas to KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala.

The parties urged Kerala to desist from the move, saying it would only sow the seeds of unrest between the two states. Tamil Nadu Farmers Association said the proposed dam would affect the flow of Bhavani river, in turn affecting irrigation needs of Coimbatore and Erode districts.

Stating that Kerala's earlier attempts to build a dam across Bhavani had been defeated by farmers of both districts, PDK General Secretary K Ramakrishnan said the Bhavani actually originates in Nilgiris district and flows to Attappady before entering Tamil Nadu.

This would add fuel to the fire, since the relationship between two states is already strained over Mullaperiyar Dam, he said.

PTI