Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has not set any timeframe for resolving Mullaperiyar Dam dispute involving Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in Delhi on Thursday.
Chandy also said that in a federal structure the Centre has limitations in getting into a dispute involving two states.
Reacting to the queries about the protests by UDF ally Kerala Congress (Mani) over the issue, he said the Centre could not jump into a matter which is also under the consideration of the Supreme Court.
"Prime Minister has not set any timeframe for settling the dispute. This is an issue involving two states (Tamil Nadu and Kerala). If one state is not cooperating... the Centre has limitations. The matter is also under the consideration of the state," Chandy said.
Kerala Congress (Mani) has accused Singh of not taking initiative to address the concerns of the people living in the downstream of the 116-year-old structure in the state even one month after his assurance that steps would be taken to solve the issue.
Chandy reiterated his government wanted to amicably settle the issue with Tamil Nadu.
"Our slogan is water for Tamil Nadu, safety for Kerala. We don't want any confrontation with Tamil Nadu," he said.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also said the Centre has given "in-principle" nod to its ambitious high speed rail corridor project linking the entire stretch from Kasargode in the north to Thiruvananthapuram in the south.
Chandy, who also met Railway Minister Dinesh Trivedi, said the foundation stone for Palakkad's Kanjikode Railway Coach Cactory will be laid this month.
