Mullaperiyar dam survey cleared

KOCHI: One more hurdle in the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar has been removed with the Union Forest and Environment Ministry giving the green signal for the survey of the new dam.Wa

KOCHI: One more hurdle in the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar has been removed with the Union Forest and Environment Ministry giving the green signal for the survey of the new dam.Water Resources Minister N K Premanchandran told Express that the preliminary work had started and that the survey was expected to be completed in two months. The detailed project report will then be prepared. Premachandran thanked the Union Government for giving the clearance.

The survey has to be conducted in the thick forest of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, for which adequate security is needed.

Ten kilometres of the proposed area of the project is to be surveyed.

The survey of seven kilometres has been completed and that for the remaining three kilometres will be conducted through the forest.

The Minister said that the construction of a new dam had been a longstanding demand of Kerala as the existing dam is weak and poses a hazard to thousands of people in Central Kerala. The clearance from the Natural Wild- Life Board is a positive step.

He pointed out that the dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over construction of the new dam will be over only after the Supreme Court gives a final verdict in this regard, which is expected by October 20.

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com