TN determined to increase Mullaperiyar dam's height: CM

Chennai, Nov 9: Tamil Nadu government today asserted that while it was determined to increase the height of Mullaperiyar dam to 152 feet, it would also take all possible efforts to restrain Kerala government from constructing dams across Pambaru and Bhavani rivers.

"Since the water level in the dam is increasing following rains, the height of the dam can be increased only during the summer after the northeast monsoon. Tamil Nadu government is determined to increase the height to 152 ft," Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam said in a statement.

Panneerselvam said work towards increasing the height of the dam, in line with the direction of Supreme Court allowing it to increase storage to 142 ft, was discussed in detail with Kerala officials in a meeting in September.

Panneerselvam had written a letter to Prime Minister yesterday, after media reports suggested Kerala government's plan to construct dams across Pambaru and Bhavani rivers, asking to intervene in the matter and stop construction of dams across the rivers without consulting with Tamil Nadu.

"Tamil Nadu government would make every possible effort to stall any effort taken by Kerala government to construct dams across Pambaru and Bhavani rivers," Panneerselvam said. Karunanidhi on Friday had expressed fears that Tamil Nadu could stand to lose a chance of implementing the Supreme Court order and sought urgent steps by AIADMK government.

Copious rains have ensured increase in the storage level even as discharge of water for drinking needs had been stepped up considerably as the storage had touched 138.10 ft.

"By unnecessarily discharging excess amount of water, Tamil Nadu could lose an opportunity to store water at 142 ft (as per the May 7, 2014 Supreme Court order)," he had stated in a letter to partymen here.

PTI