CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi will speak to his Andhra Pradesh counterpart Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy on the Palar check dam issue, Higher Education and Public Works Minister K. Ponmudi informed the Assembly on Monday.

Making a suo motu statement on the discussion he and Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin had with Dr. Reddy in Hyderabad on Saturday, Mr. Ponmudi said, "We urged him again to drop the proposal of building a check dam across the Palar."

The Ministers brought to Dr. Reddy's attention media reports that Andhra Pradesh had begun work on the check dam. They explained how the project would harm Tamil Nadu's interests. They also pointed out that the Kalpakkam Atomic Power Plant was using the Palar as the source.

Dr. Reddy told them that his Government had not issued any order or made any allocation for the project. Only a survey was being carried out. The check dam had been proposed to cater to drinking water requirements of the people of Kuppam and surrounding areas and irrigation needs of about 4,000 acres.

Dr. Reddy would take action on the proposal only after obtaining the views of Tamil Nadu. He would also send all the details of the proposal. He also promised them that his Government would not do anything illegal or against the interests of Tamil Nadu.

On the Krishna water, Mr. Ponmudi said Dr. Reddy ordered that the release should be arranged in such a way that 1,000 cubic feet per second (cusecs) of water reached the Zero Point, on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra Pradesh border.

The State Government would make all efforts to take care of the requirements of Chennai citizens and safeguard the interests of the people dependent on the Palar by holding negotiations with Andhra Pradesh, he added.

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