Mullaperiyar: Chandy for new dam, ready to talk

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Friday that while the state government is working towards a new dam in Mullaperiyar, it is ready for an ‘open-minded’ discussion with Tamil Nadu that has been opposing the project.Recognising Tamil Nadu’s need for water, Chandy said that for Kerala, the safety of its people was important as the dam is 117 years old.“We want a new dam for the safety of the people. We are requesting Tamil Nadu to come for a settlement. If you have any anxiety about water we are ready to solve it,” the Chief Minister told reporters here after meeting Central Ministers and officials to deliberate on issues concerning the overall development of Kerala.“Our slogan is water for Tamil Nadu, safety for Kerala. We know the importance of Tamil Nadu’s demand for water. Water from Mullaperiyar is very much needed for Tamil Nadu. We know it. And we are not objecting to anything.So we are for an open minded discussion. We are ready to give water to Tamil Nadu,” Chandy said.Kerala government had submitted a detailed project report on the proposed new dam to the Apex Court appointed empowered committee two days ago. The state will submit three recommendations on how to drain off the water existing in dam before it is demolished.The Chief Minister, along with Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty, Finance Minister K M  Mani, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed, Minister for Rural Development and Planning K C Joseph, Agriculture Minister K P Mohanan and Minister for Panchayats and Social Welfare M K Muneer have reached Delhi.The ministerial team from the state has taken up with the Centre a long list of demands including higher allocation of grains for public distribution, an eco-restoration programme for Attappadi, clearance of schemes for disaster management and incremental Central investments.Other issues that came up for discussion were for fast-tracking including the development work at the Kochi port, the Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal, Cochin shipyard and the proposed deep-water port and International Container Transhipment Terminal at Vizhinjam.