KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over the steps initiated by the state government to ensure the safety of the people if the Mullaperiyar dam breaks. “The state has taken substantial measures to safeguard the interests of the people,” the court observed.The court was reviewing the petitions expressing concern over the safety of the dam and the people. However, when the case came up for hearing, most of the petitioners said they were satisfied with the steps taken by the government, which was recorded by the Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjulla Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon.“The state has taken positive steps. The intensity of the matter is not as it was, and summer season is approaching,” the bench observed and added that the situation has been defused and the authorities will take necessary steps if a situation arose. Meanwhile, advocate Sivan Madathil, appearing for the Save Kerala Movement, sought time for filing an affidavit after conducting an on-the-spot inspection. The court permitted the petitioner to visit the place and submit a report before January 30. The petitioner sought a directive to take effective steps in the event of a dam collapse by adopting modern devices and also to make the public aware about the measures taken by the state. The court also disposed of the petition filed by V S Achuthanandan citing inadequate safety measures. Achuthanandan had sought a direction for calling the Army Engineering Corps in case of an emergency situation. The Central Government in an affidavit had submitted that it will take immediate action if a situation arose. “There is no need for an undertaking from the Army. The Defence authorities are duty-bound to act in case of an emergency,” the court said.Meanwhile, environmentalist C R Neelakantan has approached the court seeking a directive to the state to take urgent safety measures.
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