Kerala will raise voice against raising of water level: CM

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 20 (UNI) Kerala will demand construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar and a new agreement to maintain the water level below 136 ft at the Mullaperiyar dam, during its talks with Tamil Nadu, called by the Centre on November 29, Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan said today.

''We will convince the Centre on the present crisis, following the rise in water level at the Mullaperiyar reservoir above the danger mark of 136 ft,'' he told reporters after an all party meeting convened here, ahead of the talks in New Delhi.

Stating that the Opposition and other party leaders fully supported the government on the issue, Mr Achutanandan said while Tamil Nadu was upholding a Supreme Court verdict in raising the dam's height on the basis of a technical report, the state had no substantial report in demanding its concerns of raising the height.

''In the present situation, the state can express its concerns and try to convince the Centre and the Supreme Court on media reports and other documents. We can try to convince them that the 111-year-old dam would not be able to withstand the pressure if the water level was raised above 136 ft and in the event of any eventuality, it would endanger the lives of 3.5 million people,'' he said.

When asked if scientific studies would be conducted, the Chief Minister said the government was thinking on it.

Mr Achutanandan also raised doubts if the previous governments did not think of a sluice valve for the Mullaperiyar dam, which had to be constructed in case the water level rise above the danger level.

He did not specify if this would be demanded at the meeting in Delhi.

Asked about the Dam Safety Authorities' report after visiting the dam site, he said the Authority had strongly demanded the height should not be raised and also expressed their concerns over the dam's safety.

The all party meeting was attended by Opposition leader Oommen Chandy, leaders of Indian Union Muslim League, Revolutionary Socialist Party, Kerala Congress (M) among others.

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