Kerala for cordial relations with neighbouring states: Isaac

Coimbatore, Jul 17: Kerala Finance and Coir minister T M Isaac today said his state always wanted cordial ties with neighbouring states and contentious issues such as Mullaperiyar dam could be resolved through dialogue.

"We are all neighbouring states and the problem can be resolved through discussions," he told reporters replying to a question about the Mullaperiyar dam issue with Tamil Nadu.

Kerala has been insisting on replacing the more than a century-old Mullaperiyar Dam in Idduki District citing safety concerns, but the lower riparian state of Tamil Nadu, which has administrative control over the reservoir under an agreement, is opposed to the move.

On inter-linking of rivers, Isaac who was here to participate in the 4th Edition of India International Coir Fair, said nobody had ever made an attempt to analysis the availability of water in the peninsular rivers. However, he made it clear that Kerala had no surplus water to share with others.

To a question on incidents of murders of CPIM and RSS workers, Isaac said it was "very unfortunate". On transporters' complaints about abnormal delay at the check-post in Walayar on Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, the Minister said an integrated check post will be set up in another three months and it would help ease the congestion and delay.

PTI