Kerala MP Decries Tamil Nadu's Firm Stand on Mullaperiyar Dam

Asignificant inter-state water dispute has once again come into sharp focus as Dean Kuriakose, a Congress Member of Parliament from Kerala, publicly condemned the Tamil Nadu government's resolute stance on the Mullaperiyar dam. Kuriakose specifically highlighted Tamil Nadu's opposition to Kerala's proposed new dam and its insistence on maintaining the water level of the existing structure.

The Mullaperiyar dam, an over 129-year-old masonry gravity dam, is geographically located in Kerala's Idukki district but its operation and maintenance are controlled by the government of Tamil Nadu under a 999-year lease agreement signed in 1886 with the former British government. This unique arrangement has been the genesis of a protracted and often contentious dispute between the two southern states.

Kerala's primary concern revolves around the structural integrity and safety of the aging dam, arguing that it poses a significant threat to the lives and property of an estimated 3.5 to 5 million people living downstream. Reports from institutions like the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, have indicated that the dam might not withstand an earthquake above magnitude 6 on the Richter scale. Furthermore, a 2021 UNU-INWEH report on aging dams worldwide also cited the Mullaperiyar dam's location in a seismically active area with major structural flaws, placing millions at risk if it were to fail. Kerala has also pointed to alleged leaks and cracks in the structure as evidence of its deteriorating condition.

In response to these safety concerns, Kerala has consistently advocated for the construction of a new dam downstream to replace the existing one, ensuring the safety of its populace while pledging to continue the water supply to Tamil Nadu. Kerala's Water Resources Minister, Mons Joseph, reiterated this stance, stating that a new dam is the key to ensuring the safety of those living downstream and that the state is not seeking to demolish the existing dam immediately but to replace it with a safer alternative. The proposed new dam would be located approximately 366 meters downstream of the current structure, entirely within Kerala's territory, and is envisioned as a concrete gravity dam.

Conversely, Tamil Nadu vehemently opposes the construction of a new dam, asserting that the existing Mullaperiyar dam is structurally sound and safe, having undergone various strengthening measures and regular maintenance since 1979. For Tamil Nadu, the Mullaperiyar dam is a critical lifeline, providing irrigation water for about 230,000 acres and drinking water to five southern districts: Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram. The state fears that a new dam would necessitate renegotiating the century-old lease agreement, potentially jeopardizing their water security.

The dispute has also involved numerous legal battles, with the Supreme Court of India playing a pivotal role. In 2006, the Supreme Court permitted Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet after strengthening measures were completed. However, Kerala subsequently enacted the 'Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006,' which capped the water level at 136 feet, citing safety concerns. This act was later struck down by the Supreme Court in 2014 as unconstitutional, allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet and establishing a permanent Supervisory Committee to oversee the dam's issues. Despite the rulings, Kerala has consistently urged for a review of the dam's safety, commissioning studies that sometimes contradict the findings of central committees.

Dean Kuriakose, along with other Congress MPs from Kerala, has repeatedly raised the issue in Parliament, describing the dam as a 'water bomb' and urging for its decommissioning. In previous instances, Kuriakose has also criticized the lack of warning when the dam's shutters were opened, leading to localized flooding. The current political climate sees Tamil Nadu's newly formed government, under Chief Minister Joseph Vijay, reaffirming its commitment to opposing any new dam proposals and upholding the rights over the existing structure. Kerala's Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, while emphasizing 'water for Tamil Nadu and safety for Kerala,' has expressed a desire for post-budget discussions to find amicable solutions.

The ongoing impasse highlights the complex balance between historical agreements, inter-state rights, and paramount public safety concerns. With Kerala advocating for a modern, safe alternative and Tamil Nadu staunchly defending its established water rights and the integrity of the existing dam, the Mullaperiyar dispute remains a deeply entrenched and politically charged issue requiring continued dialogue and potential intervention at the highest levels to ensure a sustainable and safe resolution for all stakeholders. The Supreme Court has also recently agreed to re-examine the validity of the 1886 lease deed, suggesting that the legal battle may continue.