Stop AP from constructing dams across Palar: Anbumani

Palar which originates in Karnataka flows over a distance of just 33 kilometres in Andhra and state has already built 22 check dams on it. Pullur dam work is nearing completion. At Kangundhi, the dam’s height is being raised by 21 ft, Guddemanepenta by 25 ft, Palar village by 15 ft, Bogalre by 30 ft and Ganesapuram by 15 ft.  Construction material had been moved to these areas. Now, across Tipre, a tributary of Palar, AP has planned to construct five more check dams within a distance of 3 kilometres with a height of 21, 18, 10, 7 and 6 feet respectively. 

A sixth one would be built at Nayanur with a height of 21 feet and another one at Peddavenka was to come up at a cost Rs 5 crore. According to the contractors, this work would start soon. In Tamil Nadu, cultivation over nearly 4.20 lakh acres depends on Palar water. Already, the area under cultivation had shrunk due to existing check dams. 

According to the 1892 Madras-Mysore river water treaty, no dams should be built without the consent of the riparian state. Anbumani said it was illegal to undertake construction in the forest area without obtaining permission. Prime Minister Narendra Modi should intervene and sort out this inter-state river issue and stop construction of dams.