Idukki, April 21:  Tamil Nadu government officials have opposed the move by the Kerala government to construct a new dam at Mullaperiyar, sources said on Wednesday.

Tamil Nadu has demanded raising the water level in the dam from 142 feet to 152 feet, thereby signalling that the existing dam has the strength to hold a larger volume of water.

The Tamil Nadu side has also set aside funds for strengthening the baby dam which facilitates raising of water level in Mullaperiyar.

However, the officials of the irrigation department of Tamil Nadu alleged that Kerala is creating hurdles in this matter.

Earlier, the High Court had directed that the two governments will have to take a unanimous decision if a new dam has to be constructed at the site.

The TN officials alleged that Kerala is violating the direction of the court.

Though Kerala government sent several letters to Tamil Nadu seeking its permission, there has

been no reply from the latter yet, sources said.

Kerala government had decided to build the dam at a cost of Rs 1000 crore in four years. The site for the dam was identified 366 metres downstream of the existing dam.

The maximum storage capacity of the dam, to be constructed within the limits of Periyar Tiger Reserve, will be 152 feet.

The new dam will have eight shutters whereas the present dam has only 13 spillway shutters.

Water can be released from the existing dam when the level touches 136 ft.

Kerala had proposed to build the dam in 2011, but it was caught in a legal tussle. The estimated cost as per the old detailed project report was Rs 663 crore.(UNI)