Date:22/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/22/stories/2006112210770400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Kerala official removes scale from dam site

Staff Reporter

MADURAI: A Revenue official of Kerala removed a newly fixed metal reading scale meant for measuring the depth of water at the Periyar dam on Monday.

Tamil Nadu Public Works Department officials had fixed the five-foot scale, to measure the water depth from 141 feet to 145 feet, on Sunday.

"This stretch of the scale, fixed on the upstream side of the main dam, had worn out... ," an official said. The Kerala official removed it without informing the Tamil Nadu officials. While throwing it into the water, he warned the Tamil Nadu PWD staff against taking up any work at the dam site.

The matter has been brought to the notice of the PWD higher officials.

The incident assumes significance in the backdrop of water level in the dam remaining above the 136-foot mark since November 14. "We need the scale to record the level in case the water level went up beyond 140 feet," an engineer said.