Kerala, Tamil Nadu members clash in Rajya Sabha over Mullaperiyar Dam issue

NEW DELHI: Members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu clashed in the Rajya Sabha over Mullaperiyar Dam controversy, seeking Centre's intervention in resolving the contentious issue.

Members from Tamil Nadu, cutting across party lines, said the 116-year-old dam was safe and demanded its water level be raised to 142 ft level, while those from Kerala said it was a question of life and death of the people in the state and their safety should not be compromised with.

Raising the issue during Zero House, AIADMK leader V Maitreyan said the Kerala government was spreading rumours on the safety of the dam, despite the Supreme Court declaring it safe.

"The Government of Kerala is creating panic and rumour among its people... it said 22 tremors occurred in last two months, which is blatantly untrue. There have been only four tremors last year," he said, seeking Centre's intervention in raising the water level of the dam, which he said was affecting the crops in Tamil Nadu.

Echoing similar sentiments, DMK leader Tiruchi Siva said the dam was strong enough and safe, as has been certified, and sought raising of its water level.

"All apprehensions that it falls under seismic zone are baseless... Some miscreants are trying to damage the dam. We have already demanded that CISF be deployed there...We seek the intervention of the Centre to increase the capacity of water to 142 ft," he said.