A win-win approach on Mullaperiyar

In 1979, the dam showed signs of distress necessitating urgent repairs. Consequently the water level was brought down to 136 ft. After the requisite repairs were completed, TN wanted the water level to be raised to 152 ft, which Kerala did not agree to, on grounds of safety. Consequently the matter was taken right up to the Supreme Court, which permitted the level to be raised as sought by TN. Meanwhile, taking into account the safety of all existing dams in the state, Kerala enacted a law putting a cap on water levels in such dams. For Mullaperiyar dam, the limit prescribed was 136 ft.

Hydropolitics now took control of the situation, as tension between the two states got escalated. The despicable actions of opportunistic politicians ultimately succeeded in dividing the peace-loving dwellers of the region. Aggrieved by Kerala’s action, TN approached SC again — seeking its direction to raise the level. The apex court directed the Government of India and both states to discuss and sort out the issues. Accordingly a meeting at the chief ministerial level and thereafter one at the level of the water resources ministers were held by the Union water resources minister. The outcome indicates that both parties are hopeful of finding a suitable solution.

In these meetings, while sparing the water to TN was never an issue, Kerala insisted on a new dam being constructed in lieu of the old one which, it argued, would endanger the lives of more than three million people downstream. TN wanted, instead, the water level to be raised. It quoted the judgment of the apex court and the report of the Experts on Dam Safety. However, in the meetings, the core issue of a possible dam failure does not appear to have been given due weightage.

The fact that the dam is more than a century old and has shown signs of distress. Both states would be the losers if a calamity strikes. Though the expert committee has certified the safety of the dam on the basis of available data, with further data becoming available due to more instrumentation to study seismic effects, the safety aspect may need a review. No expert can vouch for the safety of this dam even for a few decades, leave alone 999 years.

Considering the issues involved, it would be in the interest of both Tamil Nadu and Kerala to construct a new dam using the latest technology to ensure water for Tamil Nadu’s farmers and safety to people in Kerala. The new dam could be a multi-purpose one with provision for dam site power generation apart from ensuring irrigation water transfer. The cost of the project could be shared by the two states, and the Centre could also do its bit.

Both the states would eventually benefit from such an option as it provides a win-win situation to both. Till the new dam becomes a reality, the existing dam would have to be used for diverting water. The performance of the dam would have to be monitored more rigorously by a dedicated joint team of experts, nominated by the states.

The proposal for a new dam was put forth by TN and Kerala in 1979 itself, but unfortunately it was not followed up, although suitable sites had also been identified in that proposal. Now that the dam has survived another three decades, should the concerned authorities wait for a disaster to occur or wake up now?

The writer is former member-secretary, Indian National Committee on Irrigation and Drainage