Setback for Tamil Nadu: Centre approves safety inspection of Mullaperiyar dam
New Delhi: In a significant setback for Tamil Nadu, the Central Water Commission (CWC) has agreed to Kerala’s demand for a comprehensive safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar Dam. Tamil Nadu had previously requested that the inspection be postponed until 2026, citing the Dam Safety Act of 2021.
The detailed safety inspection, expected to be completed within 12 months, was approved during the 18th meeting of the Mullaperiyar Dam Supervisory Committee. Chaired by Rakesh Kashyap, the meeting took place at the CWC headquarters in New Delhi on Monday. The committee rejected Tamil Nadu’s argument for delaying the inspection, moving forward with Kerala’s long-standing request for a thorough assessment of the dam.
This inspection marks the first such detailed assessment since 2011, when a similar exercise was conducted by an Empowered Committee appointed by the Supreme Court. The current inspection will involve a panel of independent experts who will evaluate the dam's structural integrity, earthquake resilience, flood safety, and operational safety. The agenda for this inspection includes several points proposed by Kerala.
Other key decisions
- The Supervisory Committee has also instructed Tamil Nadu to expedite the completion of the Emergency Action Plan for the Mullaperiyar Dam, based on the updated Dam Break Analysis
- Additionally, Kerala has been directed to promptly review and make decisions on the applications for necessary permissions. These permissions are required for the repairs that Tamil Nadu is mandated to carry out on the dam, as per the Supreme Court's directives
Representing Kerala at the meeting were Dr B. Ashok, Principal Secretary, and Priyesh R, Chief Engineer of Interstate River Water. The Tamil Nadu delegation included Dr K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary, and R. Subramanian, Chairman of the Cauvery Technical Cell.
The Mullaperiyar dam, constructed in 1895, has been a point of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. While Tamil Nadu asserts that the dam is "absolutely safe" and requires no replacement, Kerala has persistently advocated for the construction of a new dam adjacent to the existing structure, citing concerns about the dam's safety and stability.
In February 2022, the Supreme Court ordered a comprehensive security check of the Mullaperiyar Dam in response to a Public Interest Litigation filed by Dr. Joe Joseph, considering the concerns of Kerala. Tamil Nadu's approach, following the verdict, is to prioritize repairs on the dam before conducting a thorough safety inspection. This is what Kerala is opposing.
It is stipulated in the safety manual of the Central Water Commission that once in ten years a safety inspection should be done on major dams of the country.