New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments as well as the NDMA on a PIL seeking construction of a new dam to replace the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam following concerns over its safety and structural stability.

A bench comprising Chief Justice B R. Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing the Save Kerala Brigade’s petition alleging that over 10 million people live in close vicinity of the British-era dam.

“Some directions may be needed for strengthening the existing dam,” the CJI said and suggested that the matter be examined by an expert body to assess safety aspects and feasibility of constructing a new structure.

The Mullaperiyar dam, built in 1895 across the Periyar River in Kerala’s Idukki district, is operated

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