TheTamil NaduandKeralagovernments on Friday agreed to set up technical sub-committees to assess the Nirar-Nallar multipurpose straight-cut scheme to avoid a long circuitous route and convey water from Upper Nirar to river Nallar. The discussions included building a new dam under Pandiyar-Punnampuzha project to divert water to Noyyal and Bhavani basin in Tamil Nadu. This was one of the decisions taken during a bilateral talk between the secretaries of water resources of both states through video-conference. The meeting was very positive.

Kerala government officials suggested having next round of talks between ministers or chief ministers in Chennai, Nadu PWD secretary SandeepSaxenasaid. The Kerala government on Friday gave in-principle approval to divert 2.5tmcft of water from Anamalayar, which formed part of the original Parambikulam-Aliyar Project, and the long-pending demand of the Tamil Nadu government. The proposed technical sub-committee will look into the Anamalayar project as well.

The Tamil Nadu government had suggested a new location for the construction of dam under Pandiyar-Punnampuzha project. This will control floods to a certain extent in river Chaliyar of Kerala. Kerala has given in-principle nod to the project, Saxena said. Both sides are interested in generating power from the project.

Kerala has raised the issue of safety of Mullaperiyar dam to which the TN government replied that the state was taking all steps as perSupreme Courtorder. Kerala wanted a new dam as there was fear among those in downstream areas. On the TN governments request to remove 23 trees downstream of Baby dam in Mullaperiyar dam, which is part of the strengthening work as per the court orders, the principal secretary of Environment and forests and principal conservator of forests, Kerala, said the process was on to get the clearance from state wildlife board.