Kerala CM restates demand to decommission Mullaperiyar Dam

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 8 (ANI): Pressing their demand to decommission the Mullaperiyar Dam and construct a new one, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the state is preparing a report analyzing the magnitude of the disaster, which might occur if the dam collapses.

Speaking to mediapersons here, Chandy said in a bid to ensure security of millions of lives, the state has asked one of the oldest Technical Institution of Asia, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee to prepare a report on which the state government would prepare a detailed report related with the condition of the dam.

Chandy also said that the state is preparing for immediate disaster management activities.

"We have just started the work and we are waiting for the dam breaking analysis report. We have already signed the MoU with the Roorkee IIT. So we are expecting the report within a short period. So after getting the report we will go into the details but now we are preparing the background work. We are ready for immediate disaster management activities," he added.

Earlier, Kerala Congress-M leader Jose K. Mani said that there was need to construct a new dam as it is likely that the Mullaperiar Dam would not be able to sustain in the event of an earthquake.

"There is no issue between Tamil Nadu and Kerala, no water dispute, all we are saying is that the dam is in danger, there have been frequent earthquakes so the centre should take a decision so that the Kerala government should be allowed to build a new dam. The dam is exclusive for Tamil Nadu and giving water to Tamil Nadu," Mani added.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu are locked in a dispute over the dam located in Idduki District. The dam and the river are located in Kerala, but the dam is controlled and operated by Tamil Nadu. The safety of the dam has been a matter of concern and a point of dispute between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

While Tamil Nadu, the custodian of the structure, wants to increase the water level in the reservoir, Kerala has been insisting that it be reduced from the current 136 feet to 120 feet.

Kerala apprehends that this past-expiry date dam could crash and cause untold destruction in the state.

Kerala is arguing for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar in place of the existing one, which is being opposed by Tamil Nadu. (ANI)