The Mullaperiyar issue found resonance in Kochi Corporation on Wednesday with councillors staging a satyagraha before the Gandhi statue near Rajendra Maidan.
Expressing concern over the safety of the people of Kerala, the councillors demanded that a new dam be constructed in place of the existing one to save the people. The councillors, led by Mayor Tony Chammany, staged the satyagraha after a corporation council meeting which unanimously urged the Centre to permit the State to construct a new dam.
The resolution was taken for discussion in the council after suspending the agenda that was drafted for its business on Wednesday.
Moving the resolution in the council, the Mayor pointed out that millions of people of the State were living in constant fear as tremors were reported from the district recently. Any failure of the dam would directly affect the lives of over 35 lakh people in Idukki, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Alapuzha districts, he said.
The construction of a new dam and lowering the water level of the existing dam till the construction of the new dam are the two options that can save the lives of people of the State. The Central government and the State governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu should work in tandem to solve the crisis, the resolution demanded.
Even if permission is obtained for constructing a new dam, it would take at least four years for its construction. The governments should chart out schemes for ensuring the safety of the people of the State till the new dam is constructed, the resolution said.
K.J. Jacob, the leader of LDF in the council, urged the Prime Minister to intervene to solve the crisis and prevent the escalation of tension between the two States and their people.
Those who took part in the discussion included N. Venugopal, Pathukutty Ashraf, C.A. Shakkeer and Sudha Balachandran.
