Activists protest over Kerala Govt.'s move to end water supply from Siruvani Dam

Activists in Coimbatore protested against Kerala Government's move to cease supply of water from Siruvani dam to Coimbatore.

Kerala had informed Tamil Nadu government in April about its plan to seal the nine-foot diameter pipeline in order to prevent drawing of excessive water.

However, activists suspect the step taken by Kerala government is in reply to Mullaperiyar dam case, in which the apex court agreed to Tamil Nadu's demand to raise the water level of the dam from 142 to 152 feet, rendering it safe.

Kerala had appealed to the Supreme Court to review its judgment stating concern over the safety of the same.

In this fresh inter-state row, workers of regional Thanthai Periyar Dravidar Kazhagam (TPDK) party protested, shouted slogans and halted buses at the bus stand as they demanded water to be supplied to them by Siruvani dam, which is a major source of drinking water for the people in the city and adjoining district.

"Just to ensure that Coimbatore city does not get water, the Kerala government has deliberately stopped giving water through this dam," said TPDK leader, K. Ramakrishnan.

Kerala has sealed the Siruvani dam by closing all the water distribution channels with concrete plaster. The sealing work began on May 24.

The protesters requested the government to resume water supply to Tamil Nadu, fearing death of thousands of people otherwise.

"If the Kerala government goes ahead with this move and prevents water supply to the city, thousands of people will be deprived of drinking water facility, which can prove fatal," added Ramakrishnan.

The protesters said they would go to Kerala to demonstrate in front of the state office and would stop all transport buses between the two states.

The activists were later taken away by the police.

If the pipeline is sealed, Tamil Nadu will not be able to extract water from below the fourth intake valve during dry seasons.

The current water level of Siruvani dam is 2.15 metres.