Tamil Nadu refuses to release Kerala's water under Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement; talks fail

Kochi: Tamil Nadu has taken a hardline position, saying it cannot release the water due to Kerala under the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement. The stand was conveyed during talks between officials of the two states at Kothamangalam on Friday, with Tamil Nadu refusing to make any concessions over water sharing.

This is the first time Tamil Nadu has taken such an unusual position during discussions on the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement. The move could affect irrigation projects linked to the Chittur river in Palakkad and the Chalakudy river, as well as water storage in the Sholayar and Idamalayar dams.

With the officials failing to reach an agreement, Tamil Nadu suggested that the matter be taken up for discussions between the two state governments. Kerala's representatives, however, insisted that the issue be discussed at the level of the two states' secretaries.
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Under the Parambikulam-Aliyar agreement, Tamil Nadu has released only 65 per cent of the water due to Kerala from September 1. Friday's meeting was held to discuss the outstanding share.

Kerala sought 4.3 TMC (thousand million cubic feet) of water that it is entitled to receive between early November and the end of March. Tamil Nadu officials, however, said they could provide only 1.5 TMC for drinking water requirements and refused to release water for irrigation.

Parambikulam currently holds around nine TMC of water. Of this, Tamil Nadu is set to take seven TMC, ostensibly for drinking water, but also use it for irrigation as well.

Kerala's representatives warned that referring the matter to government-level discussions could cause further delays. Arranging such talks and securing decisions at the state level could take at least a month, by which time Tamil Nadu might have drawn a substantial portion of the water stored at Parambikulam.

They cautioned that Kerala could then be left without access to the water it needs.
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Kerala officials briefed ministers in the state on Friday night about the failure of the talks and Tamil Nadu’s uncompromising stand, which they said was contrary to the agreement.

The meeting was attended by senior officials led by Kerala Irrigation Chief Engineer R. Priyesh and KSEB Chief Engineer K. Biju. Tamil Nadu was represented by Chief Engineer Murugesan and Electricity Board Superintending Engineer Ganamoorthy.

The discussions were held at a private resort near Bhoothathankettu.