Gist of the matter is just three points
- Tamilnadu operates the dam in Kerala. wants to increase water level in it.
- Kerala worries that dam will get destroyed anytime soon due to old age or earthquake. Hence enacted a law to decrease water level in it.
- Supreme court says Kerala law is wrong, Tamilnadu is right.
What is MullaperyarDam?
- Type: a masonry gravity dam.
- River: confluence of Periyar river and Mullayar river
- place: Thekkady, Kerala. The dam site is in Kerala but is leased to TN
- Provides irrigation to South Tamil Nadu (~2 lakh acres)
- Periyar river originates from Ananamalai Hills and Joins sea near Ernakulam
- TN has right to utilise and maintain the dam.
| 1886 |
|
| 1970 | Governments of Kerala and Tamilnadu ratified this agreement. |
Why controversy:
- In mid-70s, Kerala became worried about leakage from the dam and wanted Tamilnadu to repair it.
- Kerala govt. communicated with union.
- Union government directed Tamilnadu state government to
- Repair this dam.
- Keep water level in the dam at 145 feet.
- Now, Union believed there is no longer any danger to the structure.
- 2006: SC allowed Tamilandu to raise water height to 152 feet after strengthening the dam. (Total height of the dam is 176 feet).
- But Kerala passed a law the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006, to prevent the neighboring State (TN) from raising the water level beyond 136 feet.
- Tamilnadu challenged Keralaās dam height law in Supreme court.
| Keralaās stand | Tamilnaduās stand |
|---|---|
|
Without raising water level in this dam, we cannot sustain our agriculture and drinking water requirement. |
| this 119 year old dam poses danger to life and property nearly 4 million people downstream | Weāve done adequate work to strengthen the dam structure. |
| There was a minor earthquake near dam site. Infact, we want to reduce water level further to 120 feet. | Tremors were very minor. No danger to dam. |
| 2010: Kerala demanded that entire dam be dismantled and we construct a new, stronger dam. (Kerala was ready to pay entire expense) | Disagreed. For itāll take lot time to setup new dam, what about the farm-irrigation in the meantime? |
2010: Justice Anand Committee says dam is safe. Mullaperiyar dam poses no danger to idduki dam.
May 2014: Supreme Court order
- Kerala dam Law of 2006 is unconstitutional and void.
- Because Mullaperiyar is a dispute between two states. In such disputes, one state legislature cannot unilaterally enact law in its own favor.
- Besides, in 2006 we had allowed Tamilandu to raise water height. By enacting g this law, Kerala is interfering with our judicial function.
- Permitted Tamilnadu to increase water level upto 142 feet. (present ~136ft)
June 2014:
- Union government decided to setup a Committee to supervise this water rising.
- Kerala planning to file a review petition in SC.
- Kerala assembly requested President of India to refer the matter to the Supreme Court under Article 143
Mock Questions
Q1. Consider following statements about Mullaperiyar dam
- itās built on the Mullaperiyar river which originates from Annamallai hills
- At present, Tamilnadu owns and operates the dam
- Maharaja of Travancore had built this dam by taking a lease from Madras presidency.
The incorrect statements are
- only 1 and 2
- only 2 and 3
- only 1 and 3
- none of them
Q2. Which of the following is a plausible way to resolve Mullaperiyar dam controversy
- If Tamilnadu pays electricity tax dues to Kerala state government, for using the hydroelectricity of Mullaperiyar dam
- If Tamilnadu pays compensation to displaced Keralites living in the upstream, before increasing the height of this dam
- If Tamilnadu agrees to divert part of the water from this dam to Kerala farmers in Idduki and other downstream regions.
- None of them
Interview Question: What is the controversy surrounding Mullaperiyar dam? What is SCās latest judgment on it? What is the permanent solution to this issue?
Visit Mrunal.org/Polity for entire Archive of Polity articles published so far.
![[Polity] Separation of Powers: Govt Rejects GAY candidate from judge position, SC-Collegium discloses the bias in public](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/gay-500x383.png)
![[Polity] Rights issues: Dead personās right to privacy vs filmmakerās freedom of expression and profession: Hansal Mehta’s Faraaz](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/dead-500x383.png)
![[Polity] KESAVANANDA BHARATI, Basic Structure, NJAC, Collegium](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/DCP13_KESAVA-500x383.png)
![[Polity] controversy over Aldermen nomination in Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), nominated members in Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha](https://mrunal.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CleanShot-2023-01-08-at-09.21.38@2x-500x383.png)
1. (a)
2. (d) – The Tamil Nadu government should repair the dam in the surveillance of Union government, after that giving that report to Centre. TN state govt should also give a written assurance that whatever damage and destruction would occur in future, due to increasing the dam height, would be compensated by them.
If dam is broken then life will be lost n can somebody here explain what is the compensation for life?
Let there be a new DAM,let tamil nadu take all water..but not lives of people living downstream..
4)none of the above..or a new dam!!
Stand of Both the States are quite very practical.
First of all short term irrigation facility for 3-5 years be sortedted out. It may be worked out by declaring a scheme of donating water resources by each and every state govts of India to meet need of irrigation facility.
Then, as State of Keral shown willingness to incur entire expenses of reconstruction of new Dam, Union govt should assist technically in completing the work as soon as possible.
Awesome Site It helped me so much to get full marks in my geography project. Thanks guys