Mullaperiyar: SC to give more powers to supervisory committee, directs to convene joint meeting

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said that it will issue an order after giving more powers to the supervisory committee in connection with the Mullaperiyar dam. The court also directed to convene a joint meeting with Kerala and Tamil Nadu and also to prepare a recommendation in this regard. The court said the decision on the new dam should be taken by the supervisory committee and stated more powers are given to find a permanent solution to the problem. Kerala had demanded the court for a new dam today also.

Both states had informed the court that the supervisory committee did not have any significant powers presently. Kerala had demanded that technical experts be included in the committee. The court said the order would clarify the matter and it was up to the experts to decide whether the dam is safe or not. The bench also said that raising the water level of the dam from 142 feet was not under consideration at present. A bench led by Justices A M Khanwilkar, Abhay S Oka and C T Ravikumar are hearing the arguments on the pleas.