Click to play videoIdukki district (Kerala): The Mullaperiyar dam has been a bone of contention between the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. However, the war of words between the states is also hotting up.
"We have no problem in providing water to Tamil Nadu. It is just not possible at the cost of the people of Kerala,” says Water Resource Minister of Kerala, N K Premachandran.
On the other hand Public Works Minister of Tamil Nadu, Durai Murugan says, "But we are sure the dam is strong enough.”
The war of words between Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments over Mullaperiyar dam's safety has reached a crescendo now.
Meanwhile, the water level at the dam increased to an alarming 138.1 metre and washed out a highway.
"The dam is not safe, they also are scared now,” says Premachandran.
Tamil Nadu plans to increase the height of the dam from the present 136 metre to 142. It also wants to raise the height of an associated dam to 152 metre.
However, Kerala says that the dam is too old and can't stand any more pressure.
"The Supreme Court has ruled in our favour. We are only following its directive. The rest will be decided in the talks between the two states,” says Murugan.
"We are hopeful that dialogue is the only rightful choice,” says Premachandran, on the other hand.
The government of Kerala says that any damage done to the dam would risk lives of people in several districts.
The Tamil Nadu government will try to allay these fears when talks are held on November 29.
While the Kerala government maintains that the dam is not stable enough to take in any more load, all eyes are really on the scheduled talks between the two states.
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