By Our Special Correspondent,
Thodupuzha, Aug 13 (IVC) Keralas’ Minister for Water Resources, Mr Rosshy Augustine said here on Aust 12 “There was no immediate concern regarding the safety of the Mullaperiyrar dam”.
Briefing to newsmen , after a review meeting at the Idukki Collectorate on Monday, Mr Augustine also warned against unwanted publicity over the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam.
“The State Government has made clear its stance to construct a new dam in Mullaperiyar. The Government is in agreement with the people regarding the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam. However , there was no immediate concern over structuaral safety of the dam”, Augustine said.
The Minister said that the water level in the Mullaperiyrar dam on August 12 was 130tmcft as against the maximum allowed level fixed by the Supreme Court is 142tmcft.
“The District Collector will clearly monitor the situation and will make arrangements, if needed, for opening the shutters of the Mullaperiyar dam”.
The minister accused the social media for spreading false information about the safety of the dam. The review meeting also decided to restrict vloggers who stirred up fears regarding the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam. The government will direct the police to take strict action against those who spread fake news through social media regarding the safety of dam, he added.
Meanwhile a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to bring down the permissible water level of the 129-year-old masonary gravity Mullaperiyar dam situated in the Western Ghats in Kerala from 142 feet to 120 feet to obviate the possibility of a breach in the dam. The petition referred to the landslides in Wayanad, and said that if the dam breached , five million people’s life would be in danger.
