The Kerala government has reduced the drinking water supply from Siruvani Dam to Coimbatore due to an outstanding payment of ₹8.9 crore by the Coimbatore Corporation.
Addressing the issue, Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply, K.N. Nehru stated that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin had spoken with his Kerala counterpart, after which the water supply to Coimbatore city remained stable. He further explained that Coimbatore currently receives 380 million litres per day (MLD) from both Pilloor and Siruvani dams, and efforts are being made to extend Siruvani’s water supply to more local bodies.
Regarding the pending dues, Nehru confirmed that the ₹8.9 crore would be settled soon. He also noted that Kerala has linked this issue with its demand for additional water from the Aliyar Project to meet its drinking and irrigation needs.
A Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage (TWAD) Board official stated that financial discussions, including payments for Siruvani water, take place annually during the Joint Control Board meeting, which involves officials from the Corporation, TWAD, and the Kerala Irrigation Department. The official also revealed that Kerala’s total bill for the 2024-25 financial year stands at ₹52.07 crore, with payment requests made in installments. Of the ₹13.31 crore recently requested, only ₹4 crore has been paid, leading to the temporary reduction in water supply.
In addition to the Siruvani dues, the Coimbatore Corporation reportedly owes ₹404.7 crore to TWAD for water supply, maintenance, and distribution under projects like Siruvani and Pilloor, which has accumulated over the years.
Authorities have assured that efforts are being made to resolve the financial dispute and ensure uninterrupted water supply to Coimbatore.
