Kerala, Tamil Nadu MPs clash over Mullaperiyar dam in Lok Sabha

NEW DELHI: Members from Kerala and Tamil Nadu clashed in the Lok Sabha today after a Congress member expressed concern over the safety of Mullaperiyar dam saying it was developing cracks.

As soon as Anto Antony raised the issue during Zero Hour claiming that water has reached a high level in the reservoir and cracks have developed, AIADMK members rushed to the aisle, threatening to storm the Well.

Members from Kerala immediately came to the help of Antony insisting that they were worried only about the safety of the dam and were not in any way opposing giving water to Tamil Nadu from the project.

As the clash continued, Speaker Sumitra Mahajan adjourned the House for lunch recess.

The states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala have been on a long legal battle over the 116-year-old Mullaperiyar dam on the Periyar river. The control and safety of the dam and the validity and fairness of the lease agreement have been points of dispute between the two states.