Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan stated on Wednesday that he is actively considering top-level discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay regarding the long-standing Mullaperiyar dam dispute, even as official-level negotiations between the two state administrations remain ongoing.

Addressing media queries regarding reports that Tamil Nadu intends to raise the water level in the century-old reservoir, Satheesan noted that the matter remains contested.

“Official-level talks are already underway. We are seriously considering a meeting at the CM level as well,” Satheesan said.

Constructed in 1895, the Mullaperiyar dam continues to be a major point of friction between Tamil Nadu, which operates and maintains the structure, and Kerala, where the dam is physically situated.

While Tamil Nadu contends that the dam is structurally sound and seeks to increase its storage level, Kerala persistently raises safety concerns regarding the aging infrastructure and advocates for the construction of a new dam near the current site.

PTI