The Kerala government has given permission to cut 15 trees below the Baby Dam in Mullaperiyar. This will enable Tamil Nadu to strengthen the Baby Dam.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday wrote a letter to his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan thanking him for granting permission.
Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan told Hindu: “This is a significant development in our efforts to build the Baby Dam. This will allow Tamil Nadu to raise the water level [in the Mullaiperiyar dam] from 152 feet [when permitted by the Supreme Court]”
“This long pending request was crucial to strengthen the baby dam and the earthen dam, and the permission will enable us to take steps to strengthen these structures. On behalf of my Government and the people of the southern districts of Tamil Nadu, I thank you and the Government of Kerala…,” Mr Stalin said in his letter.
Hoping to continue the spirit of cooperation between the states, he said that it would go a long way in benefiting the people of both the states. A copy of the letter was circulated to the media.
The Chief Minister reiterated Tamil Nadu’s commitment to further strengthen the Mullaipiyar Dam and take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of downstream people in Kerala. “In this regard, I request you to expedite other important requests from our side for repair of road between Vandi Periyar and Periyar dam site and transportation of essential materials,” he said.
The dam was the only land route to the site and hence these road works were necessary to transport materials and machinery to carry out repair and strengthening works, he said.
Mr. Duraimurugan, who visited the dam on Friday, had strongly advocated for strengthening the baby dam and cutting of trees for the construction. “Kerala opposed the proposal on the ground that trees would be cut. Even during my visit, I had raised this issue,” the minister said.
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