New Delhi: The controversial Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar River Interlinking Project (PAVL), which was previously rejected due to strong opposition from Kerala, is now back on the table. The project, aimed at diverting water from the Pamba and Achankovil rivers to the Vaippar river basin in Tamil Nadu, has been included in the National Water Development Agency's (NWDA) Special Committee meeting on River Interlinking Projects. Tamil Nadu has long pushed for this project, demanding water from Kerala's rivers for agricultural and irrigation purposes since the 1990s. The demand has not been approved so far because of opposition from Kerala.
Environmental concerns
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A feasibility study for the project has raised major environmental concerns. If the project moves forward, it will submerge 2004 hectares of forest land in Kerala's Western Ghats, including 1400 hectares of evergreen forest. Experts also warn that the project could cause more harm to farmers in the Kuttanad region, affecting local agriculture and livelihoods. The water from the project may lead to increased intrusion into the Vembanad Lake as well.
Water diverted to Tamil Nadu: 63.4 crore cubic meters
A 1991 water balance study, conducted under pressure from Tamil Nadu, revealed that after fulfilling Kerala's water needs through 2025, the Pamba and Achankovil rivers would still have an excess of 161.2 crore cubic meters and 151.5 crore cubic meters of water, respectively. According to the proposed project, of this excess, 63.4 crore cubic meters would be diverted to Tamil Nadu via a tunnel. The diverted water would irrigate approximately 91,400 hectares of farmland in Tamil Nadu. The estimated cost of the project in 2000-2001 was Rs 2,588 crore.
Three large dams proposed
The PAVL project would require the construction of three large dams at Kallar in Pampa and Achankovil, with heights of 150 meters and 160 meters, respectively. A third dam, 35 meters high, is proposed for the Achankovil river. This will result in the loss of 2004 hectares of forest land.The plan also includes an eight-kilometer-long tunnel connecting the Kallar reservoirs in Pampa and Achankovil. A nine-kilometer tunnel would then transport water across, carving the Western Ghats, to the Vaippar river in Tamil Nadu's Thoothukudi and Virudhunagar districts.
Kerala questions water development agency's figures
Kerala has raised concerns over the NWDA's water estimates, claiming they are exaggerated. The agency's study assumes that each family in the project area will need 70 liters of water per day, with 50 percent coming from groundwater sources. However, Kerala disputes this, citing discrepancies in similar studies. During the Parambikulam-Aliyar Project Agreement (PAP), it was found that the Bharathapuzha had an excess of 218.9 crore cubic meters of water. However, Kerala points out that the river now flows dry, even during the monsoon.
Kerala's constitutional concerns
A key issue in the debate is Kerala's argument that the Pamba and Achankovil rivers, which originate and flow entirely within Kerala, should not be diverted to Tamil Nadu without the state’s consent. Kerala asserts that such a move encroaches on its water rights. While water management is typically a state issue, the federal government can intervene in cases involving inter-state rivers under the River Boards Act of 1956. However, Kerala believes the Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar project could face constitutional challenges due to its impact on the state's water resources.
Published: 10 Dec 2024, 08:16 am IST
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