Kerala positive on new dam on Mullaperiyar

"Chances of a new dam on Mullaperiyar cannot be ruled out. But it needs a proper study on practical issues like the huge expenses and the technical requirement," Minister for Water Resources Mathew T Thomas told reporters in New Delhi.

Here to attend the 30th Annual General meeting of National Water Development Agency (NWDA, he said that Kerala will oppose if Tamil Nadu unilaterally attempts to raise the water level at Mullaperiyar.

"Supreme Court had agreed to raise the water level at Mullaperiyar to 152 feet if the dam is strengthened. But if Tamil Nadu takes a unilateral decision, we will oppose it," Thomas said.

Kerala Water Resources Minister reiterated the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's view that the state could not convince the Supreme Court about its apprehensions on the safety of the dam.

"We are not interested in any confrontation with the Tamil Nadu but will try to reach a consensus with the state," he said. The minister also said that the government understands the apprehensions of the people.

"Mullaperiyar is a very complex issue and it is a problem faced by the state. We will deal with it properly," he added.

Earlier, the Kerala CM had said that the TN plan to raise the water level at Mullaperiyar dam to 152 feet will be opposed.

In its May 7, 2014 verdict, the Supreme Court had held that the 120-year-old Mullaperiyar dam is safe and allowed the Tamil Nadu government to raise the water level to 142 feet and ultimately to 152 feet after completion of strengthening measures on the dam.

Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa had met Prime Minister Modi last week and sought help in raising the water level to 152 feet.