The Centre has decided to keep “in abeyance” constitution of an expert panel by the National Management Disaster Authority (NDMA) to prepare a contingency plan for the Mullaperiyar Dam in the backdrop of strong opposition from Tamil Nadu.

A communication to this effect has been received by the State Public Works Department, a senior PWD official said.

NDMA’s decision to form an expert panel to prepare a contingency plan has been “kept in abeyance” till the Supreme Court appointed Empowered Committee completed its work, he said.