Efforts to continue for arriving at a peaceful solution:Antony

Kozhikode, Dec 10: Congress leader AK Antony has said he had detailed discussions on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who assured him that efforts would be taken to arrive at a peaceful solution to the row.

Speaking to mediapersons at the nearby Karippur airport late last night, the Defence Minister said he had conveyed to Singh the anxiety of the people of Kerala on prolonging the dispute without finding an amicable solution.

The meeting of representatives of two states held to find out a solution to the issue did not succeed, he said, adding, all efforts would be continued though no solution was found in the first round of talks.

Antony had met Singh thrice on the issue seeking for a peaceful solution to the issue of dam, over which the state and Tamil Nadu are locked in a dispute.

Kerala Assembly had yesterday unanimously adopted a resolution insisting on a new dam in place of the 116-year old Mullaperiyar reservoir and lowering the water level to 120 feet in the existing structure.

The resolution moved by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during the one-day special session of the assembly over the issue asked the Centre and state governments to take steps for building a new dam and reiterated the state's commitment to provide the same quantum of water to Tamil Nadu after its construction.

PTI