Mullaperiyar issue: Chief Minister writes to PM Modi

In a response to the Supreme Court's clearance of the Kerala government's proposal, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K Pazhaniswamy has written a letter to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Kerala government’s relentless proposal to build a new dam across Mullaperiyar river has got the clearance of Central Environment Ministry. Kerala government kept on claiming that the age old dam built during British era is weakened, and stressed the need of new dam in Mullaperiyar.

On Wednesday, Union Ministry of Environment and Forest gave its clearance and put forth seven regulations to be followed.

In accord with the regulations, the consent of Tamil Nadu government is mandatory to inspect the Mullaperiyar dam. As the forest territory comes under Tamil Nadu, the report on environmental impact must be submitted with consent of Tamil Nadu.

Kerala government has reportedly planned to construct the new dam of 174 feet high, and will demolish the existing dam. Kerala government has allocated Rs 663 crores on this project.