AP should stop construction on Palar

Chennai: Terming “unilateral construction” of check dams across Palar river by Andhra Pradesh as violation of the rights of the people of Tamil Nadu, PMK MP Anbumani Ramadoss on Wednesday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to save the “lives of lakhs” of farmers who are dependent on the water for agriculture.

Meeting Mr Modi in the backdrop of farmers’ agitation against Andhra Pradesh constructing new check dams and increasing height of existing check dams, Mr Anbumani told him that the move was highly condemnable as nearly five northern districts of Tamil Nadu are benefited by the river both for drinking and irrigation purpose.

“Palar flows in Andhra Pradesh only for 32 km and the state has already constructed 23 check dams across the river. I told the Prime Minister that he should immediately tell the AP government to stop construction. He said he would intervene in the issue,” Mr Ramadoss said after the meeting.

He also pointed out the Andhra Pradesh government has not sought clearance from the forest ministry nor have they got the permission from the Union forest ministry or any environmental or ecological clearance or from the lower riparian State, Tamil Nadu to increase the height of the check dam.

“If the projects were executed as per the plan of Andhra Pradesh government, Tamil Nadu will not even get a drop of water from the river,” he said.