Mullaperiyar row: Kerala insists on new dam

Amid the raging controversy over Mullaperiyar Dam, Kerala today said it is open to talks with Tamil Nadu and the state will not oppose third party intervention to decide the operations of a new dam, if it is allowed to be constructed in place of the existing one.

"If Tamil Nadu has any apprehension over the operation of a new dam... We are willing to leave such matters and rest of other things to a third party-- whether it is Supreme Court or a political establishment like Prime Minister. Let us construct a new dam," Kerala Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan said.

"We are willing to refer all matters to a third party. We have only one demand. Let us build a new dam. Don't let millions of people live in panic," the Minister said after meeting Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with state Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph.

He said the state has sought the Prime Minister's intervention to amicably settle the issue.

"We want to continue our friendly relations and brotherhood with Tamil Nadu. We don't want a confrontation between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. We want to settle the issue amicably," Radhakrishnan said.

Joseph said the Prime Minister informed them that he was aware of the situation and assured that he would bring the matter into the notice of Tamil Nadu and would take "necessary steps" to settle the issue.

Radhakrishnan said Singh has given instructions to Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal to talk to Tamil Nadu on the issue.

"We are expecting a green signal from Water Resources Ministry. I hope that they will contact Tamil Nadu Government immeidately," he said.