TN says it will up Mullaperiyar water level to 142 ft; Budget announcement raises concern in Kerala

Chennai: Tamil Nadu has renewed its push to raise the water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam to 142 feet, a move likely to reignite its long-running dispute with neighbouring Kerala over the safety of the ageing reservoir.

Presenting the state Budget on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister N. Marie Wilson said the government would take steps to increase the dam's storage level to 142 feet. Although the Supreme Court had earlier permitted the increase, the water level has remained at 136 feet following persistent safety concerns raised by the Kerala government.

The disagreement remains at the heart of the decades-old legal and safety dispute between the two states. Kerala has maintained that the reservoir should not exceed 136 feet because of safety concerns, while Tamil Nadu relies on the Supreme Court's approval allowing storage up to 142 feet.

Centre replaces expert on dam safety panel

Amid the renewed debate over the dam's water level, the Union Government has updated the composition of the technical panel responsible for assessing its safety.

In a statement to the Rajya Sabha, the Ministry of Jal Shakti said the National Dam Safety Authority had replaced one member of the five-member Independent Panel of Experts after Kerala's nominated representative stepped down due to personal reasons.

The replacement was made to ensure the panel remains fully functional and completes its mandatory safety assessment by December 2026. The review is being conducted under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, by a team comprising specialists in dam engineering, earthquake engineering and dam management.

Centre assures Kerala's representation

The Centre also sought to allay concerns over Kerala's representation in the safety assessment process.

Following the resignation of the state's earlier nominee, the National Dam Safety Authority wrote to the Kerala government in late June 2026, requesting it to nominate another independent expert to the panel.

Officials said the objective is to maintain a balanced team of professionals, including former heads of national water and power organisations, to carry out the statutory review without disruption.

With the panel expected to submit its findings by December 2026, both Kerala and Tamil Nadu are closely monitoring the process. The outcome will be significant for the continuing dispute over the dam's safety as well as water availability for farmers.