Chennai: DMK Wednesday expressed concern over Keralas move to construct check dams across Bhavani river, saying it will impact three districts in Tamil Nadu and urged Chief Minister O Panneerselvam to take up the matter with his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan.
DMK Working President and opposition leader MK Stalin condemned Keralas move to construct check dams across the river at two locations and said it will severely impact the drinking water and irrigation needs of Coimbatore, Erode and Tirupur districts in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala had proposed four more such initiatives, he said.
When a similar effort was made in 2002, it was stopped at behest of DMK, he added.
Claiming that farmers of Cauvery delta region were committing suicide due to "non-availability of water, Keralas attempt to betray Tamil Nadu farmers is indeed regrettable and is a matter of concern," he said.
"Therefore, Kerala should not take up construction of six check dams which will affect the good ties between the people of the two states. Panneerselvam should hold discussions with Vijayan on the matter and insist that Kerala drop its proposal," he said in a statement.