New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed proceedings in a National Green Tribunal (NGT) suo motu case concerning construction of the Chilanthiyar check dam in Vattavada, Idukki district. The interim order was issued on a petition filed by Kerala Chief Secretary Dr A. Jayathilak. The court also issued notice to the Tamil Nadu government.

Senior advocate Jaideep Gupta, appearing for the Kerala Chief Secretary, and Standing Counsel Nishe Rajen Shonker argued that the NGT has no jurisdiction in inter-state river water disputes. They submitted that the check dam project is intended to address drinking water scarcity in Vattavada panchayat in Idukki.

They further informed the court that the project, part of the Jal Jeevan Mission, is expected to provide clean drinking water to 2,850 families. Kerala, in its petition, also claimed that environmental clearance is not required for the project.

The NGT had taken suo motu cognisance based on media reports suggesting that construction of the Chilanthiyar check dam could reduce inflow into the Amaravathi dam in Tamil Nadu. The Amaravathi dam supplies irrigation water to around 55,000 acres of agricultural land in Tiruppur and Karur districts. The Tamil Nadu government has argued that any reduction in inflow could trigger a water crisis in the region.

The NGT had earlier suggested that the issue be resolved in line with the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal order and through talks between the two states. However, the discussions did not lead to a resolution.