Express News Service
First Published : 08 Feb 2010 01:47:00 AM IST
Last Updated : 08 Feb 2010 07:09:22 AM IST
PALAKKAD: The desilting of Malampuzha dam has begun from the Onaampuzha area, even as precautions were being taken by the Kerala Water Authority that the drinking water to the municipality and six adjoining panchayats is not affected.
A 10-metre bund has been created to prevent the water from polluting the other waters in the dam.
In a petition filed by the secretary of the Malampuzha Dam Protection Council P S Panicker in the High court, the Bench consisting of acting Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and judge P R Raman has directed that the Kerala Water Authority should ensure desilting of the reservoir should not affect the drinking water supply.
The petition demanded that the government not to permit desilting till a comprehensive environmental impact assessment study and cost benefit analyses by an independent agency is conducted.
The silt removal will also be done in Kalampuzha, Aanakal and Andazhi.
The dam satisfies the drinking water needs of the residences in the Palakkad municipal i ty and the panchayats of Malampuzha, Marutharoad, Pudussery, Pirayiri, Pudupparaiyaram and Akkathethara.
At present, the water in the dam is being tested at the Kerala Water Authority divisional centre at Kalamandapam.
The samples were earlier tested at the filter plant and also at the booster station.
The process of silt removal which began on Friday was being undertaken by the Kerala State Mineral Development Corporation Limited (KMDCL). Since mechanised machines cannot be used under the NREGS scheme, the work is being undertaken by KMDCL.
A large pit is created using a JCB and slurry pumps are used to flush out the water.
The silt is then washed and the river sand is separated from it.
Tractors and large number of pumpsets will be used from Monday.
The river sand will be distributed to the public by the district administration by issuing pass and under the Kalavara scheme for the poor.
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