Coimbatore
In the wake of a request from the Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board, the Kerala government is likely to soon begin works to plug leakage in the Siruvani dam located in the neighbouring State.
According to TWAD Board officials, water seeps out through the damaged sluice gates of the dam, causing wastage. “The quantum of water leaked out is high particularly when the dam holds good capacity during the monsoon season,” said an official requesting anonymity. Acceding accordingly to a request from the TWAD Board, the Kerala government prepared a draft plan to carry out maintenance works on the dam.
“As the State government has given its consent, the officials of the neighbouring State (Kerala) are likely to commence works to plug the leaks at a cost of Rs 5 crore. Tamil Nadu has paid Rs 3 crore in advance and the remaining money spent [on the works] would be given after works get over,” the official said.
Kerala has accordingly issued tenders for repair works and the work is expected to begin in a week’s time and get completed within two months, the TWAD official added.
The dam constructed across Siruvani in Kerala meets the drinking water needs of Coimbatore as per an agreement executed in 1973 between both the State governments. As the dam is located in Kerala, the Tamil Nadu government has been paying the neighbouring State for its maintenance.
Following the 2018 flooding, the Kerala government had reduced the maximum storage capacity of the Siruvani reservoir. Hence, despite incessant rains, the dam hadn’t reached its full capacity of 50 feet in the recent months. Opposing the move, various political parties recently staged a protest complaining that it will create water shortage for Coimbatore during summer season.
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