Kerala Demands Complete Safety Audit as Committee to Visit Mullaperiyar Dam on Sept 1

Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph announced on Saturday that a safety review committee will visit the Mullaperiyar dam on September 1. Speaking to reporters in Thodupuzha, the Minister said Kerala will demand a complete safety inspection of the dam during the committee's visit, in line with the directives of the Supreme Court.

“We hope they will conduct a complete inspection of the dam. If they are not willing to do so, Kerala will approach the Supreme Court,” Mr. Joseph said.

The Minister also pointed out lapses by the previous government in handling the case, noting that the State failed to leverage favourable findings from earlier inspections. He added that the government has appointed a new legal team to deal with Mullaperiyar-related matters.

“Once the safety committee submits its report, Kerala will convene a high-level meeting in Delhi to review the findings,” he said.

Mr. Joseph reaffirmed that the rule curve is currently being followed at the dam, and reiterated the State's stance on building a new dam to resolve the issue permanently. “There is no change in the State's position regarding the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar,” the Minister said.

The Mullaperiyar dam, situated on the Periyar river in Kerala's Idukki district, is over 126 years old. It is operated by the Tamil Nadu government under a lease agreement. The safety of the structure has been a contentious issue between the two states for decades, with Kerala expressing concerns about its structural stability, especially after several earthquakes in the region. Tamil Nadu maintains that the dam is safe and opposes Kerala's proposal to construct a new one.

The Supreme Court has been monitoring the matter, directing the Supervisory Committee on Mullaperiyar Dam to inspect and ensure the safety of the structure. The upcoming visit on September 1 is part of these ongoing efforts. The previous inspections have yielded varying reports, with some suggesting structural weaknesses and others indicating the dam is safe.

Kerala's demand for a complete inspection underscores the State's persistent apprehension about the dam's condition. The government has argued that a comprehensive evaluation is necessary to address safety concerns, particularly in the event of heavy rainfall or seismic activity.

The proposed new dam has been a long-standing demand of Kerala, but has faced resistance from Tamil Nadu, which argues that a new structure would disrupt water supply to its farmers and residents. The issue remains a sensitive inter-state matter, with legal proceedings ongoing.

The new legal team appointed by the Kerala government is expected to strengthen the State's case before the Supreme Court. The high-level meeting in Delhi, to be held after the committee's report is submitted, will likely determine the future course of action.

The safety review committee's visit on September 1 will be closely watched, as it could influence the next steps in this decades-long dispute.