O J’s Corner

Mullapperiyar again

It defies common sense when Tamil Nadu insists that it will not allow construction of a new dam at Mullapperiyar to replace the existing 111-year- old dam. The centenarian dam is situated within the territory of Kerala. The water collected in the dam is given over to Tamil Nadu.

That the dam is very old, fragile, situated in earthquake-prone zone, continuous leakage and all put emphasis on construting a new dam, which is not for the benefit of Kerala, but for the benefit of the people of Tamil Nadu in its entirety.

We have examples of lesser old dams getting destroyed. Dam disasters of Vaiont in Italy, Victoria in Australia, Morvi and Jaswant Sagar in India should be an eye-opener.

There is not even sarcasm in the political mad rage that is ravaging Tamil Nadu regarding construction of a new dam within Kerala territory at its expense for the benefit of the people of Tamil Nadu. Kerala’s relief lies in saving the lives of lakhs of people from an impending disaster.

It is in the interest of Tamil Nadu that Mullapperiyar dam should not get destroyed. Thousands of tamil families are eking out a living in the Periyar valley. The water from Mullapperiyar supplies four districts of Tamil Nadu, utilising which cultivation is undertaken there. That region is a haven for vegetable gardens with the help of water from Mullapperiyar. The contiguous areas of Mullapperiyar within Kerala do not receive a drop of water from the reservoir.

What is prevailing in Tamil Nadu is overplay of incendiary local politics to incite the people.


In 1978, the Central Water Commission reported that Mullapperiyar dam was not safe. Tamil Nadu government had agreed with the recommendations of the commission for the construction of a new dam. There can be no cogent argument against construction of a new dam.

As a precautionary measure, Kerala government had decided that the water level in Mullapperiyar dam should be limited to 136 feet. But now due to incessant rains in the catchment area, the water level has gone up beyond 137 feet. It appears Tamil Nadu has not been drawing enough water from the dam these days. If Tamil Nadu had taken more water when it was getting filled, the level could have been brought down. It is downright foolish to allow concentration of more water in the fragile structure which we call a dam. In the whole world this is the only structure remaining decommissioned in view of its fragile nature. The dam was constructed using earth and lime. The life of even modern concrete structures is limited to 50 years. Alas, our earth-and-lime dam is 111 years old, the first ever surviving one in the world.

Experts have pointed out that collecting more water in the very old dam would put the structure under heavy strain. Lives of around 35 lakhs of people living downstream, in about five districts of Kerala, from Thekkady to Alappuzha, are in peril. No government can subject the lives of lakhs of people in vivid danger.

Kerala government has made it clear that it is not against giving water to Tamil Nadu from Mullapperiyar. Tamil Nadu can avail of the water, provided a safe dam is constructed. Why can’t they invite international experts and decide about the fragility of the dam?

Sheer common sense insists that the situation cannot continue for long. Had the dam been within the territorial jurisdiction of Tamil Nadu, it would have started steps for the construction of a new dam.

Seepage of water from points of leakage is considerably more than the situation that has been prevailing all these years. When water level goes up from 134 feet, seepage rate multiplies. That means the structure is getting weakened as the years pass by.

The dam is situated in earthquake- prone area. If a serious tremor occurs, it can destroy the dam.

Tamil Nadu is not allowing a joint inspection of the dam by experts. It does not permit Kerala experts to assess the level of seepage.

The situation has come to such a pass that there can be no more hide and seek. Nobody can suppress the real danger that is dangling like the Damocles’ sword over the lives of people.

It is quite clear that Tamil Nadu has been clinging on, with its political clout at the Centre. One way or other Tamil Nadu has been enjoying power at the Central level in the coalition set-up all these years. But it is dangerous to play foul with the lives of people on the strength of coalition power.

Even if construction is started now, it may take some time to complete it. The old dam cannot go on holding water for years together. It is better, to protect the interests of Tamil Nadu, to construct a new dam and enjoy the water resources from it.