Mullaperiyar monitoring committee's recommendation should be implemented: Supreme Court

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court directed the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu to implement the recommendations of the monitoring committee, including in the maintenance of the Mullaperiyar dam. The bench headed by Justice Suryakant issued the directive to Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The committee had recommended that steps be taken to repair the road to transport workers and equipment for renovation work on the dam and to allow observation boats on the Periyar. The matter will be considered again in two weeks. The proceedings should begin within that time. The Supreme Court also clarified that the complaints will be considered next time.

The court was considering petitions, including those related to the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam. Tamil Nadu reiterated its complaint about Kerala not cooperating in the maintenance work. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the central government, said that some work required cutting down trees in nearby forest areas.

The court directed Tamil Nadu to submit an application to the Centre for the same purpose. Although the application was submitted in 2015, Tamil Nadu responded that it would submit it again if the court requested it. Kerala had earlier pointed out that if trees were to be cut down, a new application would have to be submitted to the central government.