Mullaperiyar is least susceptible to tremors: Sibal

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal today asserted in the Lok Sabha that there was no danger to any of the dams, including Mullaperiyar, and other constructions in Kerala which is least susceptible to earthquakes.

The Minister's reply during Question Hour assumes significance in the context of the fact that Kerala has been opposing the demand of Tamil Nadu to hike the storage level of inter-state Mullaperiyar dam to 152 feet, citing that the dam is not safe as it is located in an earthquake-prone area.

Kerala has been maintaining that any breach to the 111-year-old dam due to earthquake would submerge at least three neighbouring districts in Kerala. Kerala wants the water level in the dam to be retained at 136 feet to avoid any possible breach in the event of a tremor.

The frequent earthquake on Thrissur-Palakkad border in Kerala and also in Mullaperiyar dam site was referred by CPI(M) member from the state N N Krishnadas through a supplementary. He appealed to the minister to send a team to study the frequent occurrences of earthquakes in Kerala.

BJP member Ananth Kumar raised apprehensions over the safety of the Koyna dam.

At this point, Mr Sibal said, '' All these dams are built not without taking care of possibilities of earthquakes.'' A few members from Tamil Nadu sought to disrupt Mr Krishnadas when he referred to Mullaperiyar, which has been a contentious issue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu with frequent reflections of the animosity between the two states in Parliament also.

When CPI member C K Chandrapan, a member from Kerala, wanted to know if the government could send a team to his constituency Thrissur where earthquake occurred last month, Mr Sibal said he could assure that there was no need for any apprehension. ''However, I will not be able to say what will happen ten years down the road.'' MORE UNI