Karuna asks TN Govt to take steps to increase storage

With Kerala mulling legal options to maintain the Mullaperiyar Dam level at 136 ft, DMK today expressed fears that Tamil Nadu could stand to lose a chance of implementing Supreme Court order allowing it to increase storage to 142 ft and sought urgent steps by AIADMK Government.
Party chief M Karunanidhi said copious rains had ensured increase in the storage level even as discharge of water for drinking needs had been stepped up considerably even as the storage had touched 138.10 ft.
"By unnecessarily discharging excess amount of water, Tamil Nadu could lose an opportunity to store water at 142 ft (as per the May 7, 2014 Supreme Court order)," he said in a letter to partymen here.

He said the discharge should be confined for drinking needs alone and the rest should be stored to ensure the long-time desire of state farmers to see the storage at 142 ft is met.
The state government should not make any delay and take appropriate steps, such as filing a caveat if Kerala moved Supreme Court, he said citing reported remarks of its Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph in this regard.
Earlier, on Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had said his government was examining legal options to maintain the water level at 136 ft considering the "safety aspect" though the apex court had in its May verdict held that the 120 year-old dam was safe and that water could be stored at 142 ft.

The DMK president also flayed Kerala's move to construct a dam on Pambar river, saying it will affect the flow of water to Amavaravathy dam in Tamil Nadu, which caters to irrigation and drinking water requirements of Tirupur and Karur districts.