Periyar dam maintenance works: Stand-off between Tamil Nadu and Kerala continues

Tamil Nadu faces stand-off with Kerala over maintenance works at Periyar dam, trucks carrying M-sand stopped at forest check post.

The stand-off between officials of Tamil Nadu and Kerala over taking up of regular maintenance works at Periyar dam site continued with two truck-loads of M-sand being carried by Tamil Nadu Public Works Department to the dam site being stopped at forest check post in Vallakadavu on Wednesday evening.

The trucks remained stranded at the Periyar Tiger Reserve check post since 3 p.m., according to Tamil Nadu PWD officials.

“The trucks have been stopped despite the engineers of Minor Irrigation (MI) Department, Kerala and Deputy Director, Periyar Tiger Reserve, being intimated about the schedule of maintenance works and movement of construction materials well in advance,” a senior official said.

Tamil Nadu PWD had written to the Executive Engineer, MI on November 4 about the works and intimated the movement of materials to the Forest Department on October 22 and November 29.

“But, we have not received any reply from both the officials till date,” he added.

Tamil Nadu PWD being the custodian of the century-old reservoir, was well within its rights to take up regular maintenance works.

“We had scheduled 16 regular works as part of maintenance of the dam for 2024. Despite having sent the detailed estimates of the works to be taken up to the Executive Engineer, Minor Irrigation Department, Kerala authorities are not allowing the works,” the engineer added.