Achuthanandan no to CISF deployment at Mullaperiyar dam

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 6 : Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today took exception to the reported requests of his Tamil Nadu counterpart M Karunanidhi to the Centre for deployment of Central Industrial Security Force at Mullaperiyar dam.

When reporters pointed out about Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's request in this regard, he replied ''can the CISF men stop the water at the Mullaperiyar dam in case it collapses?'' Mr Achuthandan said it was a matter of safety of about four million people in the state living in five districts nearby.

The people living on the banks of the river had already urged both the Centre and the state government for an alternative dam in place of the centaury-old dam, he claimed, adding ''the people are continuing their agitation demanding a new dam.'' Though both Kerala and Tamil Nadu had agreed for an alternative dam in 1979 during a discussion with the Centre in this regard, the latter went back on it without pointing out any valid suggestions or reasons.

Pointing out that Mullaperiyar was one of the oldest dams in the world, he said a recent scientific study had revealed that the area was prone to earthquakes and it would not survive in such quakes.

If any such disaster occurrs, about four million people and their property would be washed out in the Arabian Sea, he pointed out.

The Centre had approved a feasibility study for constructing a new dam at Mullaperiyar, which was opposed by the Tamil Nadu government, he said.

--UNI

(c) 2009 Published with permission from United News of India.
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