Stop 22 check dams construction across river Palar by AP govt: MK Stalin

Chennai: DMK president MK Stalin has demanded the Tamil Nadu government to take steps towards preventing construction of 22 check dams across river Palar by Andhra Pradesh government. In a statement on Wednesday Stalin has urged Chief Minister Edapadi K Palanisami to prevent construction of check dams across river Palar since people in Vellore, Tiruvannamalai, Kancheepuram, Tiruvallur and Chennai would face severe water crisis.

Stalin pointed out even as state has been losing its rights over rivers under the AIADMK government, the AP government has proposed to set up 22 check dams at the height of 40 ft each on Palar. Stalin condemned the AIADMK government for merely watching the AP government do it. He said this would affect the water resources in the five districts and people would face severe water crisis.

In the past, the DMK opposed the AP government move to set up check dams with a height up to 20 ft. However, the AP government has decided to set up 22 bigger and taller check dams on the river now. This would not only affect people but also farmers in the region.

In 2016, the AIADMK government, which moved the Supreme Court to prevent construction of check dam by AP government, has not waged legal battle against the neigbouring state. Condemning the EPS, Stalin demanded the state government to take swift action to prevent construction of the check dams immediately.