New Delhi : The Environment Impact Assessment(EIA) study relating to construction of new dam at Mullaperiyar is in its final stages and will be complete in three to four months from now, Kerala informed the Supreme Court. The submission came in response to a question from the Bench, headed by Justice AM Khanvilkar during final arguments in the case , asking when Kerala expected to be done with its EIA study.
Building of a new dam is the only permanent remedy to threat posed by the current dam, said Senior Advocate Jaydeep Gupta and Adv G Prakash, appearing for state of Kerala. Permission has been obtained for topics considered for EIA and the study is currently in its final stages, the lawyers said.
What’s the circumstance for having to reconsider SC verdict on raising dam level to 142 ft, the apex court asked Kerala. To this, the lawyers said climate conditions in Kerala should be accounted for in the context. The Supervisory Committee should be reconstituted by including technology experts from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the lawyers said.
State demands : Kerala urged for court to reexamine Tamil Nadu’s Rule curve that allowed raising of dam waters to 142 ft high twice a year. That kind of elation, when done during rains holds huge repercussions for Kerala. Tamil Nadu must hold water in the dam up to 140 ft only and leave the 2 ft further up empty. Tamil Nadu’s opening of shutters without prior information threatens lives of people and their properties here. 70 per cent of equipment at the dam are obsolete. A new committee comprising Collectors of Thenni and Idukki must jointly decide when it comes to maters like opening of shutters,.
Submission from Kerala is currently underway.
