Put curbs on visitors, ensure safety of dam

MADURAI: A retired PWD chief engineer has filed a PIL at the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court seeking directions to Tamil Nadu government to regulate the entry of visitors and ensure safety of Mullaiperiyar dam area under the jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu.A Kanagasabapathy, in his petition has said that to ensure the safety of the Mullaiperiyar dam and better maintenance of the facility, the State government should regulate the entries of visitors inside the dam.Noting that any damage to the dam by anti-social elements will lead to famine and drought in the five districts dependent on the dam, the petitioner also said that any unforeseen situation causing damage to the dam will flare up the law and order problems in TN.Raising concerns over the safety of the dam, the petitioner prayed that the court directs the State government to regulate the entry of visitors into the dam and to assure the safety of the dam. A bench comprising Justices Chitra Venkataraman and R Karuppiah has posted the matter for February 23.