The state of Kerala in a fresh affidavit filed in the Mullaperiyar dam dispute case has sought a fresh review of the safety of Mullaperiyar to be conducted by an independent panel of experts comprising qualified Engineers and experts in the respective fields i.e. design, geology, hydrology, hydro-Mechanical dam safety, construction and supervision, instrumentation and seismicity. The state has also sought for the creation of a comprehensive Dam safety review procedure in accordance with the guidelines for Safety Inspection of Dams, January 2018.
- Matter adjourned on Tuesday: The Supreme Court has adjourned the hearing in the Mullaperiyar dam dispute case between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, after the advocate representing the state of Tamil Nadu had sought time to go through new documents filed by the state of Kerala in the matter. The Supreme court was hearing several pleas over safety concerns about the 126 years old Mullaperiyar dam which has been a longstanding dispute between the two states. The next date of hearing in the matter would now be heard on March 23. The Supreme court on Wednesday started hearing the Mullaperiyar dam case
- Story of the dam: The Mullaperiyar dam was built in 1895 on the Periyar river in Kerala’s Idukki district. During the course of the hearing, Kerala said that dam safety is the main concern and the safety depends on the height of water.
- Earlier directions: In January, the top court had asked the two states to approach the supervisory committee for matters relating to the release of water or water management of the dam. The court had said that everyday management issues should not come to the court and should be taken up before the committee.
The issue raised by Kerala government before the apex court that “no amount of rejuvenation” can perpetuate the dam and there is a limit to the number of years one can keep dams in service through maintenance and strengthening measures. It had said the only permanent solution for removing the “eternal threat owing to the safety concerns” of the dam and for protecting the safety of a large number of people living downstream of Mullaperiyar dam is to build a new dam in the downstream reaches of the existing dam. The plea of the Kerala government had urged the court that the proposal to fix the upper rule level of the Mullaperiyar dam at 142 feet as formulated by Tamil Nadu may be avoided.
The concerns raised by Kerala:
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- A fresh review of the safety of Mullaperiyar by independent panel of experts comprising qualified engineers and experts in the respective fields i.e. design, geology, hydrology, hydro-Mechanical dam safety, construction and supervision, instrumentation, seismicity should be conducted. CWC should consider including international experts also..
- The state said that terms of reference of the study and details of the agencies for conducting the tests should be shared to the party states and approved by the supervisory committee.
- Committee should ensure that study should be conducted with the participation of the officers of Kerala.
- The affidavit said the test study reports and their findings should be shared with Kerala and finalised by the supervisory committee and it should be ensured that the study be completed within a time frame.
The Tamil Nadu government had last month told the apex court that it is “not justifiable” to have a fresh review on the safety of the dam before carrying out the strengthening measures ordered by the top court earlier.
