TN for raising Mullaperiyar water level to 152 feet: Minister

Tamil Nadu Water Resources Minister S Duraimurugan has informed that the state is for raising the water level in the dam to 152 feet. Duraimurugan had led a team of ministers and legislators from the state to the Mullaperiyar dam site. The minister was talking to reporters after the visit. The statement has not gone down well with Kerala.

The opposition AIADMK has been alleging that the DMK led government was eating out of the hands of Kerala and that water was released from the dam to suit Kerala. The water being released will affect the farmers of Tamil Nadu, especially in the five agrarian districts of the state, they added.

Congress leader and Member of Parliament from Idukki Dean Kuriakose slammed the statement saying, "The Supreme Court and the supervisory committee appointed by the Supreme Court has fixed the water level at 142 feet but Kerala is not acceptable to even that height and the Tamil Nadu water resources minister making such a statement cannot be allowed."

After the opposition's allegations, the DMK government is in a fix in the state. The AIADMK has also announced protest marches and agitations in five southern districts to resolve the Mullaperiyar issue.

Political analysts note that the minister's statement is seemingly a political statement against the AIADMK and attempts to quell allegations that the government has sold out the state's interests to Kerala.