MULLAPERIYAR

Mullaperiyar

       Tamil Nadu should cooperate with Kerala in constructing a new dam across Mullaperiyar keeping in mind the safety of lakhs of people, Kerala water resources minister P J Joseph has said. "Considering the condition of the dam and safety of lakhs and lakhs of people, the Tamil Nadu government should cooperate with the Kerala in the construction of the new dam across the Mullaperiyar.
       The minister said that even if a new dam was constructed, Kerala was willing to give enough water to Tamil Nadu. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in Delhi had said that Kerala was trying to build a new dam, allegedly aimed at depriving the people of Tamil Nadu of their rightful share of water. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been at loggerheads over building the new dam in Idukki district. While the former has cited safety aspects in the present dam to press for a new one, Tamil Nadu fears it would not get enough water for irrigation if the request is allowed. The dispute is under consideration of the Supreme Court, which has appointed a high-power committee to look into the safety and other aspects of the existing structure.
                                                                        Prof. John Kurakar