MULLAPERIYAR
(Kerala to go ahead with new dam across Mullaperiyar)
A high level meeting convened by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy to discuss inter-state water issues today resolved to go ahead with its plan to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar in place of the 110-year old existing structure. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Water Resources Minster P J Joseph said the meeting also decided to consider the recommendation of Additional Chief Secretary K Jayakumar to earmark Rs 500 crore in the budget for construction of the new dam. Since there was no dispute in providing water to Tamil Nadu by Kerala, there was no need for the neighbouring state to oppose the new dam. Kerala expects that Tamil Nadu government would take a positive stand considering the safety of 30 lakh people of the state, he said. Studies by various institutions have found that the present dam was not safe, he said.
The issue was also now under the consideration of the Empowered Committee set up the Apex court, he said. The meeting also discussed the issues related to sharing of water in Kabani-Bhavani river, Parambikulam-Aliar reservoir and providing water to Tamil Nadu from Neyar dam. It was decided to start ministerial level discussion on the Parambikulam-Aliar water sharing issue, the agreement for which had been expired more than a decade ago, he said. Kerala and Tamil Nadu were on loggerheads over the question of building new dam at Mullaperiar reservoir situated at Idukki district boarding the two states. Tamil Nadu PWD Minister K V Ramalingam had last month said the state would not allow Kerala to construct a new dam across Mullaperiyar in place of the existing dam.
The issue was also now under the consideration of the Empowered Committee set up the Apex court, he said. The meeting also discussed the issues related to sharing of water in Kabani-Bhavani river, Parambikulam-Aliar reservoir and providing water to Tamil Nadu from Neyar dam. It was decided to start ministerial level discussion on the Parambikulam-Aliar water sharing issue, the agreement for which had been expired more than a decade ago, he said. Kerala and Tamil Nadu were on loggerheads over the question of building new dam at Mullaperiar reservoir situated at Idukki district boarding the two states. Tamil Nadu PWD Minister K V Ramalingam had last month said the state would not allow Kerala to construct a new dam across Mullaperiyar in place of the existing dam.
Prof. John Kurakar
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