TN has breached water agreement: Kerala Minister

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 2: Strongly protesting 'Tamil Nadu's breach of the Inter-State Parambikulam-Aliyar Project Agreement,' Kerala today said the neighbouring state had ''purposefully failed'' in releasing water to Kerala's Sholayar Reservoir even after good rainfall.

''The water level at the Sholayar Reservoir stood at 2,658.40 ft as of yesterday against the stipulated 2,663 ft. Tamil Nadu has stopped release of due share of water to Kerala not because of any shortage,'' Kerala Water Resources Minister N K Premachandran told reporters here.

Pointing out it was 36 years ago that the water level at the Sholayar Reservoir was maintained at the stipulated 2,663 ft, he said Tamil Nadu always had some reason like shortage of rains for not releasing adequate water.

''But this year, even after the catchment areas got good rains and there was enough water, Tamil Nadu has not released water which is a breach of the agreement,'' he said.

He also noted that when Tamil Nadu officials were contacted for releasing the due share of water, they said the decision was issued from higher levels.

Pointing out the state would take immediate steps in this regard, Mr Premachandran said the issue would be raised at the Joint Water Regulatory Board meeting scheduled to be held on February 14 at Palakkad.

''Water for the Sholayar Reservoir is got when Tamil Nadu uses the second power house. But they have failed to operate the power house without any specific reason. This led to the stoppage of water release to the reservoir,'' he said.

The annual quota for Kerala to Sholayar Reservoir was 12.3 tmcft and the Tamil Nadu Government had been asked to compensate this, he said.

The economic loss incurred during the past years for not getting the quota was also calculated and handed over to Tamil Nadu, he said and added the neighbouring state had not responded to it.

According to the Inter-State Parambikulam-Aliyar Project Agreement, the water level at Sholayar Reservoir should be maintained at 2,663 ft from September to January.

Mr Premachandran also said the state would utilise Rs 58 crore out of the Rs 175 crore sanctioned by the XII Finance Commission for anti-sea erosion projects for building 50.86 km sea walls.

Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan would inaugurate the project at a function to be held at Ambalapuzha on February five.

UNI