CUMBUM: With the Mullaiperiyar dam nearing the 142-foot mark, a five-member sub-committee after inspecting the century-old structure in the presence of Tamil Nadu Public Works Department officials on Tuesday certified that the 13-spillway shutter was functioning properly.
The inspection of the sub-committee was delayed for nearly three hours owing to the sudden visit of Idukki collector Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao along with a team of Kerala journalists around 11 am. However, the sub-committee, constituted by the SC appointed three-members committee to monitor the safety of the dam while raising the storage level from 136 ft to 142 ft as per a ruling of the SC, conducted the inspection in the dam after the collector’s visit was over.
The committee members opened the 13-spillway shutter and examine the discharge water for five minutes. Kerala members of the committee also checked the shutter. The committee expressed satisfaction over the working of the shutter and recorded in it the PWD ledger. The committee also reexamined the spillway shutters 12 and 7 that were in good condition.
During the three-member committee’s visit on Nov 3, top government officials from Kerala claimed that there were some problems in shutters 13, 12 and 7. However, TNPWD officials demonstrated in the presence of committee that shutters 12 and 7 were functioning well. At that time, the committee members ordered repair of the 13 spillway shutter.
Earlier, Idukki collector Patil Ajit Bhagwatrao checked the dam site assisted by a PWD team from TN.
He along with journalists moved into the dam in two boats from Thekkday. But, Kerala officials refused accommodate a team of TN journalists in the boat.
The Collector told media persons that he did not come to inspect the shutter. “I came here to take stock of the situation at the dam as it was nearing 142 feet. It is a visit to ensure the safety of wild animals and tourists,” Ajit Bhagwatrao said.