Power minister dismisses charges of lapse in opening dams

Idukki: Kerala Electricity Minister said that there was no failure in opening the dams in the state during the days of heavy rains and flood. Of course it was not anticipated that the rains would become so heavy. He emphasized that now is the time to work in unity and those like Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala were trying to create controversy.

Chennithala had raised an issue blaming the delay in opening the dams for the flood of this magnitude. He had alleged that KSEB (Kerala State Electricity Board) made a serious lapse in decisions regarding opening of the dams of Idukki and Banasurasagar. The same allegation was made by Congress MLA K. Muraleedharan also.

On its part, KSEB assesses that it had not committed any mistake in opening of the dams. Had the dams not been opened as actually done, the situation would have taken a worse course, KSEB Chairman NS Pillai explained, and added that the Cheruthoni and Edamalayar shutters were opened after arriving at a clear idea about the situation and the dam safety authority also confirmed there was no fault in opening of the dame.

At a different level, State Chief Secretary Tom Jose said on Wednesday that his comments on communication gap regarding dam opening were distorted. “This answer was picked out of context and it was part of several answers which I had given on the opening of the Banasurasagar dam.” Reports had quoted him as saying that there was a lapse in opening the Banasurasagar dam, but in opening the other dams there was nothing to blame.