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.
