Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 1 (ANI): Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has insisted on decommissioning the British-built Mullaperiyar Dam and constructing a new one to banish all fears of either his state or neighbouring Tamil Nadu benefiting exclusively from the present one.
Talking to reporters here, Chandy said: "We are not in a position to wait. The reports from experts are giving very serious warning to us."
Chandy said he has met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss the issue and added that he is also ready to meet Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. J Jayalalithaa to resolve the dispute.
He, however, said there is an urgent need to reduce the water level at Mullaperiyar to 120 feet to ensure the safety of about three million people.
He said Kerala is ready to give water to Tamil Nadu and allow the latter to maintain the water level in the dam at 136 feet.
"We are very anxious about the safety of Mullaperiyar Dam, and very concerned about it. We have already decided to give the full quantity of water to Tamil Nadu. Our slogan itself, that is not a new slogan, it is 'water for Tamil Nadu, safety for Kerala," he said.
After mild tremors were felt in the region of Mullaperiyar Dam on November 26, several protest rallies urging to the government to act in reducing the height of the dam were staged.
On Wednesday, leaders of Kerala's ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and opposition CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) visited the dam, pledging support to ongoing protests in the area demanding construction of a new dam in place of the 116-year-old structure. (ANI)
|
|
Read More: Thiruvananthapuram | Nad | Ker | Congress | CPI | CPI (M) | Jayalalithaa
Comments:
