Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6: Kerala will not permit the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam to be raised beyond the Supreme Court-fixed limit of 142 feet, Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said on Thursday, rejecting Tamil Nadu’s proposal to pursue an increase in the reservoir level.
Joseph said Kerala’s position on the contentious issue remained unchanged and stressed that neither State could unilaterally alter the level determined by the Supreme Court. He said the 142-foot limit had been fixed after taking Kerala’s interests and safety concerns into account.
The Minister described Tamil Nadu’s Budget announcement on pursuing measures to increase the reservoir level as unfortunate and said Kerala would firmly oppose any attempt to raise it beyond the existing limit.
Reiterating the State’s long-standing demand, Joseph said constructing a new dam at Mullaperiyar was the most viable permanent solution to the decades-old dispute. Kerala remained committed to ensuring Tamil Nadu received its legitimate share of water while protecting the lives and property of people living downstream, he said.
Joseph called for dialogue between the two States to arrive at a mutually acceptable solution that would address Tamil Nadu’s water requirements without compromising Kerala’s concerns over the safety of the century-old structure.
He said the Kerala government, under the leadership of the Chief Minister, was making efforts to initiate discussions with Tamil Nadu and build consensus on the issue. However, it remained to be seen how the neighbouring State would respond to the initiative.
The Minister also expressed concern over the safety of the ageing dam, arguing that comprehensive safety inspections had not been conducted adequately.
The remarks came after Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson, while presenting the State Budget, said the government would pursue measures to raise the Mullaperiyar reservoir level in accordance with existing agreements, tribunal awards and judicial directions.
Wilson had also said Tamil Nadu would take all necessary steps to safeguard its interests in inter-State river water disputes.
