35 lakh people remain under threat, Kerala tells Mullaperiyar panel as TN seeks 152-ft water level

Kerala and Tamil Nadu reiterated their opposing positions on the long-running Mullaperiyar dam dispute before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Water Resources during its visit to Idukki, with Kerala renewing its demand for a new dam and Tamil Nadu seeking an increase in the reservoir's water level.

Chairman of the committee and Lok Sabha MP Rajiv Pratap Rudy assured that the panel would give equal consideration to the legitimate demands and concerns of both states before submitting its recommendations to the Centre.

Speaking after the meeting in Idukki on Monday, Rudy said the committee's discussions centred on two key issues — ensuring the absolute safety of the dam and guaranteeing water availability. He said the panel would thoroughly examine the technical and legal arguments presented by both states before making its recommendations.

Kerala reiterates safety concerns

Kerala representatives reaffirmed the state's demand for the construction of a new dam at Mullaperiyar. They also urged the Comprehensive Dam Evaluation Committee to visit the dam at the earliest to directly assess its condition.

According to the state's representatives, only an on-site inspection by the expert committee would help it understand the extent of public concern over the dam's safety.

Kerala also maintained that the water level should not be raised beyond 142 feet, rejecting Tamil Nadu's demand for an increase.

Tamil Nadu opposes new dam proposal

Tamil Nadu representatives reiterated their demand to raise the water level to 152 feet. They also opposed Kerala's proposal to construct a new dam.

Parliamentary Standing Committee member and Tamil Nadu MP Thangathamizh Selvan and officials from the state said permission should not be granted for the construction of a new dam.

Panel to consider both states' concerns

After the meeting, Parliamentary Standing Committee member and Ernakulam MP Jebi Mather said the Mullaperiyar issue remained a matter of concern for around 35 lakh people across five districts in Kerala.

She said Kerala had never stated that water would not be supplied to Tamil Nadu and expressed hope that the issue would be resolved in a manner that addressed the concerns of people in both states.

The meeting, held in Munnar and chaired by Rudy, was attended by representatives of both states, including Kerala Water Resources Special Secretary S. Suhas.

Rudy said Kerala and Tamil Nadu were both important states for the country and assured that the committee would place the concerns and demands of both before the Central government. He added that the Union Ministry of Jal Shakti was working towards resolving the dispute and that the committee would also hear the views of officials from both states before finalising its recommendations.