Mullaperiyar: Both states might reach on consensus

Thodupuzha: In Mullaperiyar dam issue, it is estimated that both the states might reach in an accord soon. It is estimated that the empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court to study all the issues of Mullaperiyar Dam, would forward a mutually agreeable direction and both states might accept the same to stop the impasse . The direction might be to start the construction of new dam after strengthening the existing dam. On Monday a member from the state cell for dealing with issue, met Dr CD Thatte who is the technical member of the empowered committee. During the informal meeting he informed that the state won't accept any direction without taking the stands of Kerala in belief. He said in that case the state will question the impartiality of the committee members in the SC itself. It won't accept any study which again states that the dam is strong. Justice K. T. Thomas who is representing Kerala on the expert panel constituted by Supreme Court, also vouches for a new dam as the present one won't be able to survive a high flood or an earth quake.

Though the direction for consensus can be accepted by the both the states, it still poses some hurdles. The government of Tamil Nadu has proposed an increase in the storage level of the dam from the currently maintained 136feet to 142feet but the Kerala government has opposed this move, citing safety concerns for the more than hundred year old bridge and especially for the thickly populated districts downstream.

Then there might be squabbles on the conditions to maintain the dam as when a new dam comes, there needs to be a new contract which would specify who should construct the dam, who would own it, the lease period and lease amount. The high power committee would meet by January second week.






Online Business Consulting | Internet Business Consulting