Kerala Governor Says Efforts To “Amicably Solve” Mullaperiyar Dam Problem

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan said Tuesday that “something new needs to be done” in Mullaperiyar as the existing dam is very old and people are working to reach a friendly settlement on the matter.

“I think everyone already knows that the dam is very old. Therefore, something new needs to be done. But how to reach an amicable agreement, is something that people are working on the matter. Whenever there is a dispute over water, so the judiciary is also involved, “the governor told reporters as the water level at the more than century-old dam continued to rise to 137.60 feet at 9 am today.

The governor’s statement came a day after the Supreme Court ordered the oversight committee to make a “firm decision” on the maximum level of water to be kept in the Mullaperiyar dam.

The high court has ordered all the authorities involved to interact immediately and urgently on the matter saying that it has something to do with life.

The Court told Kerala’s lawyer that its officers should interact responsibly with the Tamil Nadu officers and the committee on the issue at hand.

Responding to questions in the Assembly on Monday, Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized fear mongers on social media claiming “danger” to the Mullaperiyar dam and warned of legal action against such elements.

The CM has also told the State Assembly that the government is committed to its demand for a new dam in Mullaperiyar despite opposition, including from the Center.

The Mullaperiyar Dam, built-in 1895 on the Periyar River in the Idukki district of Kerala, is operated by the Tamil Nadu government for its irrigation and power generation needs.

Kerala insists on building a new dam, citing safety concerns, but Tamil Nadu is against it, saying the current structure is strong.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)