Government exploring possibility of desilting Siruvani Dam

Drought in Kerala last year had reflected on its water level. Therefore, it has become difficult to maintain the usual 80 million litres a day supply from the reservoir to the city from December. 

In January this year floating motors were used to draw water, despite the dead storage level. Thereafter, a deal was made with Kerala to make use of the water pockets to meet the drinking water needs of the city.

This resulted in initiation of discussions to desilt the dam with the consent of the Kerala Government.

Minister for Municipal Administration and Rural Development SP Velumani said that a renowned yoga centre on the outskirts of the city has come forward to desilt the dam. “We have already discussed the idea with the Chief Minister,” he said and added that they are yet to discuss the idea at length with the Kerala government. 

Stating that planning for the project is at the early stages of discussion, the minister said that a second round of discussion would be conducted with officials and representatives of the yoga centre and the Chief Minister before taking the idea to Kerala.