JOIN USKerala denies Tamil Nadu permission to repair dam
The Kerala police on Wednesday thwarted a move by authorities in Tamil Nadu to execute repair works at the controversial Mullaperiyar dam.
The Kerala police, which protect the dam, denied permission to Tamil Nadu officials to carry out repair works at the dam.
Member Supreme Court empowered committee K D Thatte had earlier given direction to Tamil Nadu officials to do repair works at the dam during the committee’s recent visit to the dam.
The two states are at loggerheads over the Mullaperiyar dam, which supplies water to Tamil Nadu.
The Kerala government argues that the dam has become structurally weak following earthquakes in the region and a new dam needs to be built in its place. The Tamil Nadu government, however, dismisses the argument and suggestion of a new dam.
Opposing move to undertake repair works, the Kerala government cited the latest directive of the Supreme Court on maintaining the status quo at Mullaperiyar and said no repair works could be undertaken unilaterally by Tamil Nadu.
During their visit, the high powered team had asked Tamil Nadu officials to fell trees near the dam and repair a road from the dam to the nearby Vallakkadavu locality.
The Tamil Nadu officials contacted the Kerala irrigation department following denial of permission by the police.
However, the irrigation department officials said they could not intervene in view of the Supreme Court directive to maintain status quo at the dam.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the state will decide on moving court against the alleged unilateral approach by members of the Supreme -Court-appointed empowered panel on the Mullaperiyar issue during their recent visit to the dam site.