Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday said that his government was firm on constructing a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
Replying to questions at his weekly Cabinet briefing here, Mr. Chandy said that what mattered more than politics was the safety of people. There would, therefore, be no going back on the decision taken by the previous government to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
Meeting held
A meeting of senior officials of Kerala and Tamil Nadu was convened by Central Soil and Materials Research Station (CSMRS) Director Murari Ratnam on Wednesday.
It was attended by Irrigation Department chief engineer P. Lathika, Mullaperiyar special cell chairman M.K. Parameswaran, representing Kerala; and senior officials from Tamil Nadu led by M. Selvaraj, member-secretary, Kaveri technical cell.
Assessment
A remotely operated underwater vehicle (ROUV) was used on Wednesday to survey the Mullaperiyar dam to assess its condition. An expert team of the CSMRS is conducting the survey.
“Uncalled for”
The Mullaperiyar Agitation Council, in the meanwhile, termed “ill-motivated and uncalled for,” Tamil Nadu Public Works Department Minister K.V. Ramalingam's assertion that the State government will oppose a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
