Tamil Nadu to pursue raising water level in Mullaperiyar dam, Kerala opposes
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The Tamil Nadu government's announcement that it will pursue raising the water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam has renewed the long-running dispute with Kerala, which has opposed the move on safety grounds.
Presenting the state Budget on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu Finance Minister Dr N Marie Wilson said the government would continue its efforts to raise the water level in the dam.
The announcement drew a strong response from Kerala, which has consistently maintained that the reservoir level should remain at 136 feet, citing concerns over the structural safety of the ageing dam.
Tamil Nadu has long sought to raise the water level to 152 feet after completion of the dam's final strengthening works to improve water storage for irrigation and drinking water.
Kerala Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said the state would formally register its protest with the Tamil Nadu government and was also considering legal action. He said Kerala's stand on the issue remains unchanged and that the safety of the dam is its primary concern.
Udumbanchola MLA Senapathy Venu described the announcement as "worrisome" and said it posed a threat to the safety of people in Kerala. He said the issue would be taken up at the Chief Minister's level and that the government would soon decide its next course of action.
The dispute has a long legal history. In 2014, the Supreme Court permitted Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet and subsequently to 152 feet after the dam was strengthened.
Kerala, however, has continued to oppose any increase, arguing before the Supreme Court that a higher reservoir level could compromise the safety of the century-old dam and increase flood risks for people living downstream during periods of heavy rainfall. The state has also expressed concerns about the potential impact on wildlife in the surrounding forest areas.
The Mullaperiyar Dam, located in Kerala's Idukki district, is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu government under a long-standing lease agreement, making it one of the most contentious inter-state water disputes in the country.