Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan today described as ''unfortunate'' the move of Tamil Nadu to drag the Mullaperiyar issue to the court again despite the Supreme Court directive that the matter be settled amicably through mutual discussions.

He told newspersons here that it was because of the concern about the safety of the century-old dam and the anxiety of 3.5 million people in five districts that Kerala was opposed to raising the water level in the dam from the present 136 feet.

It was under these circumstances that Kerala requested Tamil Nadu to construct a new dam, he said.

Mr Achuthanandan said the Central Water Commission which inspected the dam in 1979 had also recommended strengthening of the dam for the provision of additional spilling capacity and retaining the reservoir level at 136 feet.

He said former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran had written to the then Prime Minister Charan Singh assuring him of expeditious action on the recommendation of the Commission. Copies of the letter were also distributed at the news conference.

Mr Achuthanandan said it might be due to pressure from opposition parties that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi was taking the issue to the court again.

He said Kerala still favoured an amicable settlement of the issue through discussions between the two states.

UNI PMM VV MSJ HT1534