Kerala's demand for new dam will not help find solution: M Karunanidhi

Chennai: Taking exception to Kerala government’s stand that a new dam should be built instead of the existing Mullaiperiyar dam, DMK chief M. Karunanidhi on Saturday said it would not help to find a solution and only prolong the issue further.

Citing the Governor's address in Kerala Assembly, Karunanidhi said Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, immediately after taking over power had said he did not believe in the policy that a new dam should be built for the existing Mullaiperiyar dam and added that he would accept the opinion of the expert committee formed by the Supreme Court that the dam is strong.

The DMK leader recalled that he had immediately welcomed the statement and asked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa to utilise the opportunity. But, she did not taken follow up action on the statement of Kerala Chief Minister, Karunanidhi said.

However, the opposition parties in Kerala expressed their opposition to Pinarayi Vijayan's stand, leading to change in Kerala government's stand.The Governor's address in the Kerala Assembly had said it was firm in the Assembly resolution that a new dam should be built. The Kerala government had also planned to form a new committee to test the dam's safety, strength and lifetime, he said.

The plan to construct a new dam was considered in 1979 and was abandoned as it was not feasible, Karunanidhi said. The Supreme Court had in its verdict stated that the existing dam was strong, Karunanidhi recalled. He said the Union government and the state governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu should keep their faith in the Supreme Court verdict and the remarks of Pinarayi Vijayan immediately after he took over and take steps for further action. The Tamil Nadu government should initiate measures without any delay, he added.