Thanks, Kerala, but give us more, says Tamilnadu CM Palaniswami

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami on Friday urged his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan to extend cooperation to store water to the full level in Mullaiperiyar dam.

Welcoming Kerala’s gesture to supply water to Tamilnadu, Palaniswami said the neighbouring State had only offered 2 mld (million litre per day) for a day whereas every day supply would help.

“I thank the Kerala Chief Minister, but 2 mld water will not be sufficient. We are every day supplying 525 mld water (in Chennai) and if 2 mld water could be given every day, it will be useful for the people,” he said.

Poondi, Chembarambakkam, Sholavaram and Red Hills reservoirs here have dried up and despite that supplies were being made to the people, he said.

Pointing to the Supreme Court judgement on the Mullaiperiyar dam which had said water could be stored to the full level of 152 ft after carrying out strengthening works, he alleged that Kerala, however, scuttled refurbishment works.

“We need every drop of water,” he said, addressing a press conference here, adding people in five districts, including Theni and Ramanathapuram were dependent on Mullaiperiyar water for their livelihood.

He appealed to Kerala to extend cooperation to store water to the full level in the Mullaiperiyar dam. Also, he appealed to the people to use water judiciously as there was shortage.