Kerala Congress-M leader seeks Central intervention on Mullaperiyar Dam row

New Delhi, Dec 7 (ANI): Kerala Congress-M leader Jose K. Mani on Wednesday sought for the Central Government's intervention to end the ongoing row over the Mullaperiyar Dam and stressed on the need to construct a new dam owing to the deteriorating condition of the more than a century old dam.

Taking to reporters here, 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 an 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.

He wanted national parties to come and assess the condition of the Mullaperiyar Dam.

"We have asked the national parties, the media to come to the ground zero, find out the reality, we asked the speaker also. Let leaders of all parties come and see the ground reality," he 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)