Thiruvananthapuram: A leakage has been
detected in the 113-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, raising
concerns about its safety.
A three-member team of experts headed by former chief
engineer N K Parameswaran Nair has been asked to examine the
leak and submit a report urgently, Kerala Chief Minister V S
Achuthanandan told reporters after a state cabinet meeting
here today.
He said the leakage was found in the 18th block of the
inter-state dam, where the water level recently reached 135 ft
due to heavy rains.
Mullaperiyar has for long been a subject of dispute
between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While Kerala insists on
construction of a new dam in place of the existing structure
Tamil Nadu is opposed to it.
The Centre has granted permission to Kerala to conduct
a survey on construction of the new dam, seeking a stay on
which Tamil Nadu had moved the Supreme Court which, however,
rejected its plea.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 13:59