Kerala Urges Supreme Court for Non-Partisan Safety Review of Mullaperiyar Dam

The Kerala government has taken its concerns over the safety review of the Mullaperiyar dam to the Supreme Court, requesting a non-partisan panel for the assessment. This move comes in response to the Central Water Commission and Dam Supervisory Committee’s position that the safety review should be solely conducted by the Tamil Nadu administration. Kerala is advocating for the appointment of a panel with national experts and representatives from both states to ensure an unbiased evaluation of the 127-year-old dam’s safety. The last safety assessment took place in 2011, and Kerala is emphasizing the need for a fresh review, particularly in light of recent extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and floods.

The Mullaperiyar dam, located in the Western Ghats, has been a longstanding point of contention between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The dam’s safety has been a subject of debate and legal battles, with Kerala expressing concerns over its structural integrity. In 2021, the Tamil Nadu government asserted to the Supreme Court that the repeated demands by Kerala for decommissioning the dam were “wholly impermissible” as the dam had been found to be hydrologically, structurally, and seismically safe. The Supreme Court’s decision on Kerala’s request for an impartial safety review panel will be crucial in addressing the interstate water dispute and ensuring the dam’s resilience to potential risks.