The Kerala government on Monday announced that it will go ahead with the construction
of a new dam at
Mullaperiyar and urged prime minister Manmohan Singh to "intervene strongly" in the dispute
and make
Tamil Nadu initiate "practical steps" on the issue. "The state government will not go back from
its decision to construct a new dam at an estimated expense of Rs 600 crore," finance minister
KM Mani told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
"Kerala has the right to construct a new dam in Kerala's land funded by the state for the safety
of the people of the state," he said, adding about 45 lakh people living in five districts of Kerala
are facing serious threat to their lives.
of the people of the state," he said, adding about 45 lakh people living in five districts of Kerala
are facing serious threat to their lives.
It was due to the "non-cooperative attitude" of the Tamil Nadu government that the
Mullaperiyar issue was being dragged on without arriving at a solution, he charged.
Mullaperiyar issue was being dragged on without arriving at a solution, he charged.
Funds have been earmarked in this year's budget for the construction of a new dam at
Mullaperiyar, he said.
Mullaperiyar, he said.
Urging Tamil Nadu to adopt a "compassionate approach" to the issue, Mani said Kerala
was never against giving water to the neighbouring state. "A new dam is the only solution
as we cannot play with the lives of over 45 lakh people living in the downstream area," he said.
was never against giving water to the neighbouring state. "A new dam is the only solution
as we cannot play with the lives of over 45 lakh people living in the downstream area," he said.
Kerala has been pressing for immediate central intervention to persuade Tamil Nadu to agree
to the proposal of a new dam at Mullaperiyar holding that the present 116-year-old structure
posed a threat to nearly three million people, mainly in Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
to the proposal of a new dam at Mullaperiyar holding that the present 116-year-old structure
posed a threat to nearly three million people, mainly in Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
However, holding a contradictory view, Tamil Nadu has opposed construction of a new dam,
asserting that the present reservoir "is as safe and good as new" and accused Kerala of
whipping up fear psychosis.
asserting that the present reservoir "is as safe and good as new" and accused Kerala of
whipping up fear psychosis.
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