Leakage detected in Mullaperiyar dam

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 18 (PTI) A leakage has been
detected in the 113-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, raising
concerns about its safety.
A three-member team of experts headed by former chief
engineer N K Parameswaran Nair has been asked to examine the
leak and submit a report urgently, Chief Minister of India's
southern state of Kerala V S Achuthanandan told reporters
after a state cabinet meeting here in state capital Wednesday.
He said the leakage was found in the 18th block of the
inter-state dam, where the water level recently reached 135 ft
due to heavy rains.
Mullaperiyar has for long been a subject of dispute
between southern states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While Kerala
insists on construction of a new dam in place of the existing
structure Tamil Nadu is opposed to it.
The Indian Government has granted permission to Kerala
to conduct a survey on construction of the new dam, seeking a
stay on which Tamil Nadu had moved Supreme Court of India
which, however, rejected its plea. PTI JRK
ANU