Release from Mettur dam to be raised to 20,000 cusecs in 3 days

Expressing hope that the dam would reach its full reservoir level of 120 feet in another three days, the Chief Minister said that discharge will be increased gradually to 20,000 cusecs.

“Within a month, the water level in the dam has surged to 109 feet and is receiving over one lakh cusecs of water. The dam would reach its full capacity as there are copious rains in the catchment areas of Karnataka. Also, Amaravathi Dam, Mulllaiperiyar, and Siruvani dams have reached their brim and are overflowing. Many other dams are also fast filling up,” he said.

Though the Mettur Dam has missed its customary date of June 12, the Chief Minister said the government would ensure even farmers in tail-end areas receive adequate water for irrigation. The Supreme Court has fixed 177.25 tmc of water to be given to Tamil Nadu annually by Karnataka. Terming the release of water from Mettur as a historic event and a victory for the government, Palaniswami said the present government followed the footsteps of former chief ministers MGR and J Jayalalithaa in fighting legally to get the rightful share of Cauvery water to Tamil Nadu.

“The Amma government has achieved victory in the 48 years of struggle to establish our rights over Cauvery. By achieving this feat, we have silenced the opposition parties, who charged that the government did not put forth a proper argument in court on the Cauvery issue,” he said. To mark the successful formation of the Cauvery Water Management Authority, the Chief Minister said that a ‘stupa’ will be erected in the Mettur Dam park at a cost of Rs 1.25 crore and the park will be given a face lift for 75 lakh.

Replying to a query on Farmers Association leader Pandian that water has been released from Mettur without the knowledge of Cauvery Water Management Authority, the CM said the Authority was duly informed before the release.

On the High Court order directing government against forceful acquisition of land for Salem-Chennai Green Corridor project, the CM said that 90 per cent of survey works have got over for land acquisition.

Stating that the state government is showing no haste in implementing the expressway project, the CM said that the main intention of the government is to utilize the opportunity and funds given by the Central government for the project on time.

Palaniswami also said that a memorial with a full-size bronze statue of Ramasamy Padayatchiyar, founder of Tamil Nadu Toilers party, who fought for the cause of poor, would be erected in Cuddalore district.