Mullaperiyar: Kerala, TN to meet again

Despite attempts by political parties in Kerala and Tamil Nadu to politicise the dispute over the Mullaperiyar dam, Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthananthan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Karunanidhi today met in a cordial atmosphere and agreed to meet again for a detailed "technical-level" discussion within ten days.

The dispute between the two states is over the issue of increasing the level of the dam.

While Tamil Nadu wants the level to go up to 146 feet and has the backing of the Supreme Court, Kerala wants it to remain at 136 feet, citing safety of people living in downstream areas.

Kerala has been demanding the closure of the 108-year-old dam, citing risks in case of even a mild tremor.

The atmosphere in the two states has got vitiated in the recent weeks with Tamil Nadu refusing to allow Kerala officials to inspect the dam for safety and seeking deployment of the Central Industrial Security Force.