National Development Council (NDC) meet in New Delhi on December 19 is likely to play venue to the end of a dam-dispute, provided Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi obliges.
Although Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has warmed to Kerala Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan’s offer to have a face-to-face talk with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister on December 19, it is yet to be known if the latter will be enthused.
“When the issue of dam safety was raised, Prime Minister asked if this could not be sorted out on the day of the NDC meet when the two chief ministers are likely to be in the Capital together,” Achuthanandan said, recounting his meeting with Singh early this week. “And I replied that this can be done, if you (Prime Minister) too is there to facilitate it,” he added, pointing to a possibility of a milestone in the dam dispute on December 19.
Kerala’s first priority was to build the new dam with the support of Tamil Nadu and Centre. “However, if this is not possible, we will even mobilise resources from people to construt the new dam,” Achuthanandan added.
While Tamil Nadu wanted the old dam to be retained and water-level raised to 142 ft to irrigate the farms of Madurai district, Kerala’s contention is hinged on safety-concerns. Experts had warned that the 111-year old Mullaperiyar dam has far outlived its span and may jeopordise lives and property of those dwelling on five districts in the Kerala side.