Kerala Government will approach the empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court today requesting urgent reduction of water level in Mullaperiyar dam to 120 feet considering recent tremors and heavy rain in the 116 year old dam area.Highlighting the assurance of the Prime Minister that the Centre is willing to intervene to sort out the issue amicably between Tamil and Kerala, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the dam safety controversy is not the creation of the state. He reiterated that Kerala is willing to give any assurance on sustained supply of water from the dam to Tamil Nadu.AIR correspondent reports that even as sustained efforts are on to sort out Mullaperiyar dam safety issue with Central assistance, Kerala Government is also knocking the door of judiciary to ensure safety of more than 30 lakh people living in four districts close of the dam. As of now, the water level of the dam has come down from the permissible level of 136 feet to 132.9 feet. Tamil Nadu is drawing 1754 cubic feet water per second. It is almost three times more than the inflow to the dam. At the same time, in Kumily and Kambammedu where prohibitory order is in place, life is limping back to normal. Yet regular traffic at the border is yet to be streamlined causing inconvenience to thousands of sabarimala pilgrims.
News On AIR | December 15, 2011 2:11 PM
Mullaperiyar Issue: Kerala to approach SC’s empowered committee