PMK wants TN govt to save Mettur dam

Chennai, Aug 21 (BPNS)

Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK) founder leader, Dr. S. Ramadoss has called for the Tamil Nadu government to prevent construction of a dam at Meekdatu by Karnataka. In a statement on Monday, the senior leader said that if a dam is constructed across Cauvery River in Mekedatu, then that would render the 90-year-old Mettur dam useless. The leader issued the statement on the 90 anniversary of the Mettur dam which was opened on August 21, 1934.

He said that Mettur dam was providing drinking water and was instrumental in the agricultural prosperity of several Tamil Nadu districts.

The senior leader said that the PMK would be in the forefront to oppose the construction of Mekedatu dam by Karnataka.

He also said that the erstwhile Kingdom of Mysore had opposed the construction of Mettur dam for decades but the dam was constructed overcoming all such hurdles.

The PMK founder leader called upon the entire state of Tamil Nadu to protest in unison against the construction of a dam at Mekedatu by Karnataka that would dry up Mettur dam and thereby lead to loss of water for irrigation in many districts of Tamil Nadu.