Thiruvananthapuram: The state is ready for joint control with Tamil Nadu and the Centre for a new dam at Mullaperiyar, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Wednesday.
Declaring the government's stance after a Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that Kerala has no hidden agenda but is concerned about the safety of the people living downstream of the dam as well as those across the border for whom the water is crucial for livelihood.
"It is for the first time that the idea of a new dam has gained credence at the national level. Earlier, all discussions were revolving round the strengthening of the existing dam. The Mullaperiyar high power committee has also ideated it and asked the state to file its views before Friday. The Cabinet has come to the conclusion that Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Centre jointly controlling the new dam will be the ideal situation,” Chandy said.
“There was no second thought on it,” he said and maintained that Kerala will bear the entire cost of the new dam even while opting for a joint control.
Asked whether the cost of the water shared will be the same after a new dam is built, Chandy said all outstanding issues could be settled through talks or left to the verdict of the Supreme Court.
“With a new dam, a new agreement will naturally be there. The committed stance of the state is ensuring water for Tamil Nadu and safety for the people in Kerala. Any other issues can be addressed through either negotiations or by way of a decision by the Supreme Court,” he said.
The joint control mechanism with Tamil Nadu is already existing in the case of Siruvani dam, he said.
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