TN concern on dam misplaced,says SC

Refusing to issue any direction,it said no order was called for at this stage.

Senior advocate K Parasaran who appeared for Tamil Nadu government sought a stay on the survey and expressed apprehensions as a Kerala minister had reportedly said that a survey was conducted to set up a new dam.

Allaying such fears,the Bench said: “Do they have a readymade dam with which they will replace? You know why the statements are made. You don’t go by statements. We can only say it is irresponsible and unfortunate.”

It said Tamil Nadu can always approach the court at a later stage if a proposal for a new dam was put forward by Kerala. Kerala wants to build a new dam towards the western side of the old dam on the Periyar river. On October 6,the standing committee of the National Board for Wildlife had given its green signal for surveying the area without affecting any other legal and administrative clearances required. In fact,both states are already fighting a case over Mullaperiyar dam in the apex court.