The Tamil Nadu government will not allow Kerala to go ahead with its plan to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar, Public Works Minister K.V. Ramalingam said on Sunday.
The concern of the Kerala government over the safety of the existing dam was baseless as the experts had found the dam structure to be strong. “It is safe to increase the water level of the dam. It will benefit a large number of farmers in Tamil Nadu,” he said.
Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had reiterated Tamil Nadu's position on the Mullaperiyar dam on a number of occasions.
“We will stick to our stand of increasing the water level of the dam and oppose the construction of the new dam,” the Minister said.
Mr. Ramalingam said steps had been initiated to bring down the price of sand in the State in a week.
Steps had also been taken up to check illegal quarrying and transportation of sand, he added.
The Minister said funds would be allotted for the concrete lining of Lower Bhavani Project canal in Erode and in the neighbouring districts. An announcement in this regard would be made during the budget session of the Assembly.
Mr. Ramalingam said the Public Works department had taken steps to desilt a number of channels, including the Kalingarayan canal in Erode.
