BJP urges Tamil Nadu CM to order probe into contaminated Mettur dam catchment

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State unit president Nainar Nagenthran on Monday urged Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay to direct officials of the Water Resources Department (WRD) to inspect the Mettur dam catchment area in Dharmapuri district, where water has reportedly been contaminated.

In a statement, Mr. Nagenthran referred to a media report about the catchment area near Eriyur village, noting that a foul smell had enveloped the vicinity and that public health in nearby villages was being affected. He said effluents had turned the water green, and pointed out that residents of neighbouring villages rely on the water for both drinking and irrigation.

The Mettur dam, a major reservoir across the Cauvery river, is crucial for agriculture and drinking water supply in several districts of Tamil Nadu. The catchment area in Dharmapuri is upstream, and any contamination there raises concerns about the safety of water flowing into the reservoir and downstream regions.

Mr. Nagenthran urged the Chief Minister to order a thorough inspection of the area to determine the cause of the contamination and to initiate corrective measures. He also called on officials to carry out a state-wide inspection of waterbodies to ensure their proper maintenance and prevent similar issues elsewhere.

The request comes amid growing attention to water quality and environmental management in the state. No immediate response was available from the Chief Minister's office or the WRD to the BJP leader's demands.