Mullapperiyar issue should be eye-opener

The logic, or lack of it, on the part of Tamil Nadu in resolving the
Mullapperiyar dam issue defies all canons of reasoning. Its insistence should have been directed towards securing water from Mullapperiyar river. Tamil Nadu does not appear to be concerned about the safety of the dam or the impending danger of lakhs of people living downstream, stretching from Thekkady to Alappuzha. Tamil Nadu has lease right for 999 years over the water from the dam, which by now is more than 110 years old. No human being can be convinced that this dam, built in mud and lime, would survive 999 years.

Those who were responsible for drafting the wording of the lease agreement did not think that it necessary to have a specific clause for building a new dam and demolishing the antique dam. No one thought that in human transactions, anyone would oppose reconstruction of a dilapidated dam. When the agreement was renewed during the tenure of Chief Minister C.Achutha Menon, there was no re-thinking as the whole transactions appear to have been done on political expediency. Now when the dam’s condition is precarious, the Tamilians, in the same tenacity is opposing every move to have a new dam, amply supported by reports got readied with political clout at the Centre from time to time.

The life of a modern-day dam, built with the firmest infrastructure possible, is expected to be roughly 50 years. Let it survive for 100 years. But our antique structure is older and it is crumbling It has to be replaced. Delay tactics would only worsen the safety aspect of the dam, endangering precious lives.

The statistics provided by the Central Water Commission, culled out for the purpose of deposition before the Supreme Court underscores the need for urgent steps to tide over the dangerous situation. If there occurs a flash flood by some means (that is possible in times of unpredictable rain and thunder showers arising from global warming and melting of ice caps) and the water level goes beyond 136 feet, the overflow would be too risky. The ground portion where the water falls out would be thinning out and there are chances of being washed away endangering the dam proper.

The Supreme Court has been magnanimous enough to identify eight main issues involved in the Mullapperiyar dam issue. It should be possible for Kerala to insist on the non-safety aspect and get the issue thrashed out either through discussions or through the apex court. Dilly-dallying and stretching of time-frames, which is being pursued by Tamil Nadu, would imperil the situation further.

It seems Tamil Nadu belatedly agreed to have the leakage in the dam being studied in depth is a ploy to derail the deadline. Possibly, it could get the study process extended up to a year. It seems prudent to include other aspects in the study like the non-safety and old age of the dam proper. It is well-known that the earlier report submitted by the Central Water Commission was not impartial.

Mullapperiyar dam issue should be an eye-opener to the ruling dispensations in Kerala from time to time. While drawing up agreements for lease, there should be specific provisions for dealing with similar situations. One should not assume that the other side would see the human side of various aspects. Credulousness would cost us dearly.