Tamil Nadu engineers walk out of sub-committee inspection of Mullaperiyar dam
The Hindu
Tamil Nadu engineers protest Kerala's denial of maintenance work at Mullaiperiyar dam, disrupting scheduled inspection.
The sub-committee on Mullaperiyar dam could not carry out a scheduled inspection of the structure on Wednesday (October 16, 2024), as the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Organisation (WRO) engineers walked out in protest against the Kerala Minor Irrigation (MI) Division for not allowing maintenance work at the dam site for six months.
The sub-committee is headed by its Chairman and Executive Engineer, Central Water Commission, Kochi, B. Satheesh. It includes two members from Tamil Nadu - J. Sam Erwin, Executive Engineer, Additional Charge, Periyar Dam Special Division (PDSD), and T. Kumar, Assistant Executive Engineer, PDSD. Members from Kerala, Levins Babu Kottur, Executive Engineer, MI Division, Kattapanai and Kirandas, Assistant Executive Engineer, MI Division were also present. They had assembled to leave for the dam site for quarterly inspection on Wednesday morning.
However, before leaving for the site, Tamil Nadu members raised the issue of Kerala not granting permission for the maintenance work.
When the Kerala official said that he had to get permission from higher officials from the Kerala government, the WRO engineers objected to it. They walked out of the inspection to draw attention of the National Dam Safety Authority to the “lackadaisical attitude” of the Kerala government, a WRO engineer told The Hindu.
In May, WRO engineers had sought permission from the Executive Engineer (MI) for carrying out 13 specific tasks in the dam, related to the surplus regulator, main dam, gallery and earthen dam. The engineers had planned to complete the work before the onset of northeast monsoon, the engineer said.
Also Read:Why is there a fresh row on Mullaperiyar? | Explained
The details of the maintenance work were provided to the Kerala engineers. An in-person explanation was also given to them.
Three youths radicalised by ISIS and AQIS arrested in Vijayawada for planning terror activities across India.
T.N. CM Stalin challenges PM Modi on government preparedness for West Asia crisis, emphasising leadership responsibility over public outsourcing.
Telangana DCA warns against unsupervised semaglutide use, stressing the importance of medical supervision and safe purchasing practices.
From origami classes at Rosary matriculation school to the two-day Makers Market in Mylapore, Chennai resident Priya Subramaniam has come a long way.
Election Commission bans exit poll results in Tamil Nadu from April 9 to April 29 ahead of Assembly elections.
Residents of Tambaram express concern over inadequate infrastructure amid rapid urban growth, highlighting traffic, drainage, and waste management issues.
Explore the defining moments and developments of Tamil Nadu's 16th Assembly, marked by political confrontations and administrative innovations.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan defends his remarks on G. Sudhakaran, labeling him a 'class traitor' amid election tensions.
Social media rumors spark panic buying of petrol in Belagavi, causing long queues and temporary fuel shortages at stations.
Delhi Budget 2026 LIVE: Follow live updates from The Hindu on the Delhi state budget for 2026-27, on March 24, 2026
Shorts News:WatchNetanyahu says Trump sees chance of striking deal with Iran
The facility in New Colony will benefit over 17,000 consumers, say officials
Water pipeline leak causes traffic congestion and waterlogging in Miyapur, Hyderabad, prompting detours and delays for commuters.