In Kerala, a dawn to dusk hartal is being observed in the central districts of Idukki, Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue. The hartal call given by the Kerala Congress-M, Kerala Congress-J, BJP and others have affected normal life in these districts. Offices reported thin attendance and educational institutions remain closed. The hartal, however did not affect the functioning of public sector undertakings in the region.Road movement within the state, between the northern and the southern districts has virtually come to a standstill.Inter-state traffic between Kerala and Tamil Nadu via Idukki has been hit. Vehicles carrying pilgrims to Sabarimala have been exempted from the hartal.AIR correspondent reports, the agitation is in support of the demand for the centre's intervention in the Mullaperiyar Dam issue. Kerala is demanding the construction of a new dam in Mullaperiyar and also the reduction of water level in the existing dam to 120 feet.