Mullaperiyar issue: Kerala Assembly adopts resolution for new dam

Kerala Assembly Friday unanimously adopted a resolution for building a new dam to replace the 116-year old Mullaperiyar reservoir and lowering the water level to 120 feet in the existing structure over which the state and Tamil Nadu are locked in a dispute.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during the one-day special session of the assembly over the issue asked the Centre and the state government to take steps for building a new dam and reiterated the state's commitment to provide the same quantum of water to Tamil Nadu after its construction.

It was passed after a three-hour debate during which the speakers made it clear that the state was united in its stand of 'water to Tamil Nadu and safety to Kerala'.

Occurrence of recent tremors near the reservoir area had become a threat to the safety of the old-dam and steps were required to clear the apprehensions about the structure, the resolution said.  Concluding the debate, Chandy said Kerala wanted to resolve the issue through talks, with the Centre as an intermediary, and while maintaining the cordial ties the state has with Tamil Nadu.

Stating that a new dam was the only permanent solution, he said it was due to the intervention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that a meeting of officials from the two states has been fixed. The meeting would be held either on December 15 or 16, he said.