Dam: Kerala, TN meet today

A breakthrough is unlikely at the meeting. Tamil Nadu will cite the Supreme Court order and a report of the Technical Committee, both of which were in favour of increasing the water level. 8220;Our case is strong. Both the Supreme Court and Central Water Commission have backed our stand,8221; said Madurai MP P Mohan. The Tamil Nadu MPs held several rounds of meetings today and decided 8220;not to compromise8221; their position. However, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, who arrived here late in the evening, said he was 8220;optimistic8221;.

The Kerala camp also sprung into action with

Chief Minister V S Achuthanadan8217;s arrival. There were several rounds of discussions among the ministers and officials. 8220;It is a question of life and death for 35 lakh people. Everyone knows the dam will not be able to withstand the pressure if the water level is increased,8217;8217; said state Water Resources Minister M K Premachandran. Kerala is likely to propose a new dam at the site to overcome the security threat.