Kerala Forest Minister Benoy Viswam today said Kerala wanted a solution to the long pending Mullaperiyar dam issue and political leaders should not precipitate the matter with their statements.
“People of Tamil Nadu and Kerala are like brothers and sisters. When there is in issue between brothers and sisters, it should be discussed only in brotherly manner. That is what we expect,” he told reporters here.
He was reacting to a question on MDMK leader Vaiko’s remarks that Kerala would not get vegetables and other commodities from Tamil Nadu if the state was deprived of water from Mullaperiyar dam.
Kerala’s decision to construct a new dam in place of the existing one would only “break the wall” of national integration and create unrest in both States, Mr. Vaiko had said.
Stating that the needs and sentiments of people of both States were important, Mr. Viswam said that Kerala did not want to create a big issue out of Mullaperiyar.
According to a scientific study report, the dam was not safe and lives of over five lakh people were under threat. “So a solution is a must and we look for an alternate measure.”
“People and Tamil Nadu Government will understand the problem, since Kerala is not an enemy of Tamil Nadu.”
Kerala government had already finished laying a solar fencing on a 10 KM stretch on the railway track on Tamil Nadu-Kerala border on its side, and works were in progress in another 25 KM, to prevent elephants from crossing on to the track and hit by trains.
He said though Kerala had approached the Centre for this purpose, there was no response. Kerala was willing to work with Tamil Nadu for completing the solar fencing on its side, to check the fatalities, he said.
