Project to stop flow of toxin into Periyar River

KOCHI: Ending a long delay in setting up the bridge cum regulator project across the Periyar River at Pathalam and Purappillikkavu, the irrigation department has finally fixed the dates for opening tenders.The prequalification tenders for setting up the Pathalam bridge will be opened on Monday. At a time when fish deaths is becoming a frequent phenomenon in Periyar, the ambitious project which could have been a permanent solution in containing the issue of fish deaths, has been facing an inordinate delay. The project for setting up a bridge cum regulator across the river at Pathalam and Purappillikkavu, has been entangled in various legal hurdles and administrative delays. Awaking to the situation, the irrigation department has already started damage control measures.“The department will open per-qualification tenders for setting up the Pathalam bridge on Monday,” said Harinarayanan, Executive Engineer, Major Irrigation Department. Failure in blocking the flow of toxins to Periyar has been cited as the major reason for back-to-back incidents of fish death, said environmentalist C M Joy.“A bridge cum regulator at the right spot would be of immense help in resolving the current issue. The bridge cum regulator at Manjummal has proved to be highly effective in containing toxic waste. Due to unknown reasons, authorities have kept it closed for some time. This has lead to a fall in the oxygen content in the water resulting in fish death. Therefore, the authorities should not only ensure that the bridge cum regulator is opened soon but also monitor that it is functional,” he opined.