TN should maintain water Level at 120 feet'

KOCHI: Stating that Kerala has already promised water to Tamil Nadu if a new dam is built instead of the Mullaperiyar dam, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday asked the neighbouring state to declare what else they wanted.
“The water level at the dam should be maintained at 120 ft till a new dam is constructed. Tamil Nadu should see to it that the water level at the Mullaperiyar dam is maintained at 120 ft,’’ he told reporters here. Chandy was here to inaugurate the fifth edition of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. ‘Safety for Kerala and water for Tamil Nadu’ is the stand of Kerala, he said and added that the neighbouring state should understand the concerns of the people of Kerala. Reacting to Tamil Nadu approaching the court and arguing that the Kerala Government is spreading panic among the public about the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam which is not true, Chandy said that every state had the right to approach the court and make statements. ‘’But they should understand the sentiments and concerns of the people of this state,’’ he said.
‘’Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa was very concerned about the safety of the people with respect to the setting up of the Koodankulam nuclear power plant. So what is wrong in expressing concern about the safety of the people in Kerala on the Mullaperiyar dam issue,’’ he said.   Hoping that Tamil Nadu would understand the gravity of the situation, Chandy said that Kerala had taken a stand on the Mullaperiyar dam issue with an open mind.