TN didn't get permit to take PWD vehicle to Mullai Periyar: KL official

THE PWD vehicle from Tamil Nadu was denied entry to the Mullai Periyar dam area to conduct maintenance work as the TN Irrigation Department had not secured prior permission from the Minor Irrigation Department in Idukki, said Periyar Tiger Reserve Additional Field Director Suresh Babu.

- JEYALAKSHMI RAMANUJAM @Theni

He told TNIE that this permit was necessary to travel on the pathway, which comes under the Periyar Reserve limits, leading to the reservoir. Sources said that as per an apex court order and the Dam Safety Act, 2021, the TN government's PWD department is solely responsible for the safety of Mullai Periyar dam. On December 4, a PWD lorry carrying two loads of M Sand from TN was blocked at the Vallakadavu check post in Kerala citing the lack of a permit. The lorry has been remaining at the check post since then. Speaking to TNIE on request of anonymity, a PWD official sa