The Hindu : Front Page : Karunanidhi dispels doubts on dam safety

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Nov 30, 2006
ePaper

Front Page

Front Page

Karunanidhi dispels doubts on dam safety

J. Venkatesan

Rejects the plea for construction of a new dam

New Delhi: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has dispelled the fears expressed by his Kerala counterpart on the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam if the water level is raised from 136 to 142 feet.

In his opening remarks at the talks held in the capital, he said that all studies and field experiments conducted by the Central Water Commission and the Experts Committee had confirmed that the dam was quite safe for raising the water level to 142 feet. "It has also been observed that the earthquakes reported have had no effect on the structure of the dam. The dam has been designed to withstand the effect of the earthquakes anticipated," he said.

"When such is the position, I think we are not doing any justice by thrusting an opinion in the minds of the public, that the dam may burst if the water level is raised to 142 ft. No gravity dam has ever burst and this contingency does not arise in the case of the Periyar dam, which has been strengthened to the status of a new dam," the Chief Minister said.

Rejecting the plea for construction of a new dam, he said, "Now the dam, according to neutral and objective experts, is as good as a new dam."

"There is no cause for any panic or confusion with regard to the safety of the dam. I would like to convey that the safety of the people living downstream of the Periyar dam will not be compromised under any circumstances by the Government of Tamil Nadu," he said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page