PIL filed in Madras HC seeking construction of 'bed dam' in Kollidam

A PIL was filed in the Madras High Court today seeking a direction to authorities concerned on constructing a 'bed dam' within a stipulated timeframe to prevent intrusion of salt water into the Kollidam river in Cuddalore district.

The summer vacation bench of Justices K Kalyanasundaram and S M Subramaniam today directed the Special Government Pleader Vijayakumar to get instructions from the state government on a PIL by M Neelamegam of Cuddalore district and posted the matter to June 6.

The petitioner, a farmer from the district, submitted that about 50 villages and its residents in the region are dependent upon Kollidam river water for agriculture.

The ongoing spell of drought and water shortage has resulted in reduced farm incomes.Besides, the sea water flows into the Kollidam river, affecting the quality of ground water, he alleged.

Unless the state government takes necessary steps for the construction of a bed dam to prevent flow of sea water into the river, all farming activities will be hit, the petitioner submitted.

He further said that in response to a representation made to the Chief Minister's Cell on January 11, the officials informed him about the proposal to construct a check dam across Kollidam river at an estimated Rs 112 lakh, which is pending subject to grant of funds.

A dam that is built on bed-rock or highly compacted sub-soil of a river is called a bed dam also known as sand dam