PALAKKAD: Tamil Nadu agreed to release water in phases at the Joint Water Regulatory Development Board (JWRDB) meeting held at the KSEB inspection bungalow in Palakkad on Wednesday.
The meeting proved to be a tough bargain as both sides remained locked on many contentious issues. The meeting which began at 11.30 am extended well past 8 pm.
Deputy Director of the JWRDB P Sudhir told Express that Kerala put forth its arguments that Tamil Nadu has violated the inter-state pact by not releasing the required quantity every fortnight.
Under the PAP (Parambikulam-Aliyar Pact) Tamil Nadu should release 7.25 tmc of water annually to the Chitturpuzha from the Aliyar dam. Moreover, on February 1 and September 1, Tamil Nadu has to maintain full reservoir level (FRL) of 2663 feet in the Sholayar reservoir.
At the talks held on Wednesday, the Tamil Nadu side agreed to release 210 mcft (million cubic feet) in the first fortnight of November, 310 mcft in the second fortnight of November and 410 mcft to 500 mcft in the first fortnight of December.
Sudhir said talks were basically held to discuss the release of water in the three fortnights. He said Tamil Nadu also admitted that they had failed to maintain the FRL in the Sholayar reservoir. However, they have agreed to release the available water in the Upper Sholayar to the Chalakudy basin.
Sudhir said that considering the three forthcoming release of water till December 15 the total water released by Tamil Nadu would add up to 2.52 tmc and they have to release the balance water (7.25 tmc - 2.52 tmc) 4.73 tmc before June 30 2017. (The water year runs from July 1 to June 30) .
Sudhir said that it was also agreed that both Tamil Nadu and Kerala would meet before December 15 to discuss the balance release of water from the Aliyar dam for the second crop paddy through the Chitturpuzha.
The Tamil Nadu side was led by Chief Engineer Venkatachalam and his team and the Kerala team was led by Chief Engineer Mahanudevan and deputy director of JWRDB P Sudhir and team.