By IANS
New Delhi : Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to mediate between Tamil Nadu and Kerala Wednesday to try and solve their differences over the more than 100-year-old Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala that irrigates large parts of Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi, who arrives here Tuesday evening on a three-day visit, will be discussing the Mullaperiyar dam issue with the central leaders during his stay.
Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan is already here and has taken up the matter with the prime minister.
Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been involved in a legal wrangle and a war of words over the Mullaperiyar dam, located in Idukki district. Kerala is opposed to Tamil Nadu’s proposal of raising the water height to 142 feet.
Kerala wants the reservoir water at 132 feet, saying the dam is old and unsafe and is pressing for a new dam. However, Tamil Nadu is opposed to construction of a new dam.
The two chief ministers will also attend the National Development Council (NDC) meeting Wednesday where all the other state chief ministers are also expected.
On Thursday, there will be a chief ministers’ meeting on internal security and Karunanidhi is to attend that too.
He will return to Chennai on Friday, said sources close to him.