Despite opposition from Tamil Nadu, the Kerala Cabinet today gave in principle approval to the Attapadi River Valley Irrigation project in Palakkad district on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.

Addressing reporters after a Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the project, estimated to cost Rs 400 crore, was necessary to improve the irrigation facility and help develop backward areas in Palakkad district.

A detailed project report would be submitted to the Centre for environmental clearance, he said. On Tamil Nadu’s objection to the project, Chandy said it was without knowing the facts.

“Construction is within the rights of the State. What we are doing is only legal. We are not carrying out anything irregular,” he said.

The project envisages building a dam across the Siruvani river in Chittoor taluk of Palakkad district with a capacity to store 65 million cubic metres of water to irrigate 4,900 hectares and generate 3 MW power.

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