Kerala Dam Desilting Project Faces Irregularity Allegations

The Kerala government's initiative for large-scale desilting of water bodies, intended to improve water storage and mitigate flooding, is facing scrutiny. The Chulliyar dam desilting project in Palakkad district has been particularly targeted with allegations of irregularities concerning the dredging and removal of sediments, including sand. These issues have been raised by an non-governmental organization and have led to intervention by the Kerala High Court.

What Happened

The desilting work at the Chulliyar dam, which began under a previous government administration, is now facing allegations of environmental damage, multiple contract extensions, and potential financial impropriety. An NGO, the Right Foundation, has petitioned the Chief Minister seeking governmental intervention. The Kerala High Court recently directed the Kerala Irrigation Infrastructure Development Corporation (KIIDC) to issue transit passes for desilted material already collected at the dam site. This order came after the KIIDC halted pass issuance, prompting the contractor to approach the court. The KIIDC stated to the court that a significant volume of extracted material was awaiting disposal and that it had no objection to transporting desilted materials for which royalty had been paid, despite the contract's expiry.

Key Facts

• The Chulliyar dam desilting project is located in Palakkad district, Kerala.
• The project was undertaken during the tenure of the previous LDF government.
• The Right Foundation, an NGO, has petitioned the Chief Minister regarding the project.
• The Kerala High Court directed the KIIDC on August 3 to issue transit passes for desilted material.
• According to KIIDC, 2,25,830.17 cubic metres of extracted material were stacked at the dam premises.
• The desilting work was entrusted to a private firm in 2022 to remove 11.33 lakh cubic metres of sediment over a one-year contract period.
• Allegations include multiple contract extensions, with the final one reportedly expiring in May 2026.
• The contract rate was ₹56 per cubic metre, and geological royalty was reportedly waived.
• The contractor is alleged to have levelled earthen embankments in the dam.
• KIIDC CEO M. Sivadasan stated the corporation must comply with the court order and that the contractor had made payments for transporting stacked sediments.

Why It Matters

The scrutiny of the Chulliyar dam project raises questions about the transparency and oversight of large-scale desilting operations undertaken by the Kerala government. Allegations of collusion, environmental damage, and financial irregularities, if proven, could impact the credibility of such initiatives aimed at infrastructure improvement and disaster prevention. The court's involvement highlights the legal and administrative challenges in managing these projects, particularly concerning contract compliance and material transportation.

Background

The Chulliyar dam project is part of a broader plan by the Kerala government to enhance the carrying capacity of dams and waterbodies to reduce the risk of flooding. Such desilting efforts are crucial for maintaining water infrastructure, particularly in a region prone to heavy monsoon rains. However, the project's execution has become a point of contention, with concerns raised about the environmental impact and the adherence to contractual and financial norms.