Coimbatore:
MDMK and Periyar Dravida Kazhagam have opposed the Kerala government's move to build a new dam across River Siruvani and demanded that the state withdraw its plan as it would affect irrigation needs of two districts and drinking water supply to Coimbatore.
Kerala has decided to revive its 30-year old proposal to construct a dam across River Siruvani in Palakkad district, bordering Coimbatore district, on requests by farmers of Attappady and nearby areas to KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala.
The party's district unit at its meeting in Coimbatore on Sunday urged Kerala to desist from its move, saying it would only sow the seeds of unrest between the two States and its people.
Tamil Nadu Farmers Association said the proposed dam would affect the flow of River Bhavani, in turn affecting irrigation needs of Coimbatore and Erode districts.
Stating that Kerala's earlier attempts to build a dam across River Bhavani had been defeated by farmers of both districts, PDK General Secretary K Ramakrishnan said the River Bhavani actually originates in Nilgiris district and flows to Attapady before entering Tamil Nadu.