Mullaperiyar row: VS files petition in HC to build new dam

Former Kerala chief minister and Communist Party of India-Marxist veteran V S Achutanandan on Tuesday filed a petition in the Kerala high court seeking a direction to build a new dam at Mullaperiyar.

Expressing concern over the state of the dam, he submitted that the need of the hour is to call the Indian Army corps of engineers "who alone have expertise to avert such disaster within the shortest possible time limit". A delay coupled with inaction of the government would lead to a "grave situation of exposing millions of life to danger," he said.

The state and judiciary were bound to give security to the common man, the Marxist leader submitted, adding as per the principle of doctrine of public trust, government was bound to protect its resources.

Achutanandan also sought a direction to the government to collectively take adequate and effective preventive measures to protect the "life of millions who would be affected" in case the 116-year-old dam collapses.

The petition is likely to come up before court on Wednesday.

Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court, urging for "sanity and sensitiveness," asked Tamil Nadu and Kerala to maintain restraint on their statements on the Mullaperiyar dam row, lamenting that they were adding fuel to the fire instead of dousing it.

A five-judge Constitution Bench, headed by Justice D K Jain, asked Tamil Nadu to ensure that the water level in the dam does not exceed 136 feet but declined to entertain Kerala's plea for reducing the level to 120 feet.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu are at loggerheads with each other over the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar, with Kerala concerned over its safety and Tamil Nadu maintaining that it is "as good as new".