KERI team likely to conduct dam study from today

KOCHI:  The officials of the Kerala Engineering Research Institute (KERI) on Wednesday arrived in Kumily to examine the options left for demolishing the Mullaperiyar dam.   The test is expected to start on Thursday. The team conducting the test will check the quantity of soil accumulated in front of the main dam structure, baby dam and the spillway. The team will also conduct study on the extent of cutting required for the spillway for channelising the water inside the dam.Sources in the Mullaperiyar Special Cell said the test was conducted on the background of Supreme Court order to the state to submit options of how the dam will be demolished if it is to be decommissioned in the future. The report has to be submitted before the Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court by the end of this month.Meanwhile, there are unconfirmed reports that a team of Central Water and Power Research Station (CWPRS) Pune, will also reach Kumily on Thursday to conduct cable anchoring test of the dam. The CWPRS will begin the test with the help of modern equipment on September 17. Irrigation Department officials said there is no formal information about the arrival of CWRS team, but the cable anchoring test will begin soon. The cable anchoring test was scheduled to begin on second week of August, but it was delayed owing to heavy rain.