Kerala CM Quells Fears on Mullaperiyar Dam Safety

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reassured the public, stating there are no current safety concerns regarding the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam in Idukki. This comment comes as a response to Congress MP Dean Kuriakose, who had called the dam a 'water bomb' and demanded its decommissioning in the Lok Sabha.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has quelled public fears by stating that there are currently no safety concerns about the over-125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, located in the Idukki district.

Addressing reporters' inquiries on Thursday, Vijayan asserted that the state's stance on the matter remains unchanged despite recent comments by Congress MP Dean Kuriakose in the Lok Sabha. Kuriakose had labeled the dam a 'water bomb' and demanded its decommissioning.

The Mullaperiyar dam, constructed in 1895, has seen contentious debates between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While Tamil Nadu maintains that the structure is safe, Kerala has been vocal about its demands for a new dam in the vicinity of the existing one.

(With inputs from agencies.)