NGT sets up panel to monitor dam desilting

CHENNAI: The Southern bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Thursday constituted  a five-member committee to monitor the desilting of 150-year-old Srivaikundam dam in Thoothukudi district.

 

The second bench, comprising Judicial Member Justice P. Jyothimani and expert member R. Nagendran, formed the committee with senior CPI leader R. Nallakannu, Commissioner of State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority, social activist S. Nainar Kulasekaran, advocate Thavasi Rajan and S.M.A. Gandhimathinathan of Srivaikundam Anaineer Pidipu Kulangal Paathukaapu Sangam as members.

 

The dam, if desilted, could store about eight thousand million cubic feet (TMC) of additional water benefiting more than a lakh acres.