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Panel raises concern at Mullaperiyar dam's safety

Special Correspondent

Reservoir, in a seismic zone, cannot withstand tremors anymore

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Members of the Kerala Dam Safety Committee have expressed concern at the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.

A team, which inspected the dam on Sunday to assess the impact of tremors that occurred in its vicinity on August 18, advised reduction of the water level from 136 feet.

Water Resources Minister N.K. Premachandran told mediapersons here on Monday that the team, in its preliminary report, had said the dam, situated in a seismic zone, was not strong enough to withstand tremors anymore. "Unlike concrete dams, the Mullaperiyar dam does not have the capacity to resist the impact of tremors," he said.

Seepage of water would be monitored for 10 days and it would be compared with the leakage witnessed before the tremors rocked the region.

The team, comprising committee member and chief engineer N. Sasi and the chief engineer, Inter-State Water Resources, K. Divakaran, suggested a detailed study by experts on taking further steps.

Mr. Premachandran held discussions with Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan and Law Minister M. Vijayakumar and they decided to apprise the Centre of the State's concern over the safety of the dam, constructed 110 years ago.

The Government also explored the possibility of filing a curative petition against the Supreme Court order on raising the water level. It sought the advice of the Advocate-General and Supreme Court counsel.

The Dam Safety Authority Committee would discuss the issue here on Tuesday. All options including decommissioning of the dam would be placed before the authority.

An executive engineer and an assistant executive engineer were deployed in the dam monitoring cell to improve its functioning, the Minister said.

All-party meet, if needed

The Government would discuss the issue with Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy and convene an all-party meeting, if needed.

"Kerala is not opposed to sharing water with Tamil Nadu and it plans to hold talks with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi. But the Tamil Nadu Government recently filed a petition claiming right for the catchment area of the dam."

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