Mullaperiyar storage level will be raised to 152 feet: Jayalalithaa

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Friday said her government would take necessary steps to increase the water storage levels in the Mullaperiyar Dam to 152 feet.

Speaking at a function held in Madurai, around 450 km from here, to felicitate her for the state's victory against Kerala on the issue, she said: "As per the Supreme Court judgment after completing the dam strengthening measures, steps would be taken to increase the water storage level to 152 feet."

Tracing the state's dispute over the storage levels of the dam with Kerala in the courts, Jayalalithaa said it was due to her government's effective and strong handling the Mullaperiyar Dam case that it was decided in the state's favour.

She said strong, just and legal arguments in favour of Tamil Nadu were put forth before the apex court-appointed committee after she came back to power.

Jayalalithaa said the committee submitted its report to the apex court based on field inspection and the views put across it by her government.

The apex court last May gave its judgment in favour of Tamil Nadu ruling to raise the water level to 142 feet in the dam.

Jayalalithaa said the dam shutters were downed July 17 following the decision taken by the supervisory committee.

Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been at loggerheads over the dam, built under an 1886 accord between the then Maharaja of Travancore and the British rulers.

While it is located in Kerala, the control of the dam is with Tamil Nadu and its waters serve the state.

Tamil Nadu wants the dam's storage capacity to be increased from the current 136 feet (41.5 metres) to 142 feet (43 metres) while Kerala wants a new dam and its control.

The dam's total storage capacity is 152 feet.