KOCHI: The Empowered Panel on Mullaperiyar has asked Kerala to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) on the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar within four weeks.
The five-member panel headed by Justice A S Anand, which met in New Delhi on Tuesday, came down heavily on Kerala for not submitting its response on what to do with the existing dam, even after repeated queries from the panel. Based on Kerala’s request, the panel asked the state to file its response within four weeks.
“Kerala has sought more time to file a response on the query about what can be done with the existing dam. The panel has asked the state to submit its opinion on how to tackle the issue of the existing dam, if a new dam is being built,” Justice K T Thomas of the Empowered Panel said.“So far the state has not filed a response. This has created an impression that they are not serious about the new dam, he added.
However, the panel has given four more weeks to file Kerala’s reply in this regard. Then based on that Tamil Nadu should file its report in another 10 days, Thomas said. With Kerala asking more time to file the response, Tamil Nadu argued that Kerala was not serious about constructing a new dam at Mullaperiyar.
It further said the attempt was to renew the agreement with Tamil Nadu for water sharing. It is in this backdrop that the Dam expert member at the panel asked Kerala to make clear its response about what to do with the existing dam. The panel criticised Kerala for its failure in filing the reply.
The Empowered Panel asked Kerala to file a Detailed Project Report on the new dam.
Kerala has earlier submitted a feasibility study on construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar. The Empowered Panel will again meet on October 10.
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