Mullaperiyar Dam -Alternate Engineering

Key Points

• A second agreement was signed between Tamil Nadu and Kerala Governments in 1970, allowing power generation in Tamil Nadu using the waters from Mullaperiyar. This may be the reason that Tamil Nadu is insisting retention of water in the reservoir at maximum level so that sustained power generation is ensured in the power houses along with utility for irrigation.
• The consensus between the two States dented after the collapse of Morbi dam in Gujarat and a subsequent media report in Kerala indicating that the Mullaperiyar dam is also in “danger”. This occurred way back in 1979. Subsequently, the Central Water Commission, the Supreme Court and the Empowered Committee came into picture to settle down the Mullaperiyar dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Mean while the dam was strengthened as per expert guidance. The works include grouting, guniting the upstream face of the dam, cable anchoring of the dam’s structure with the foundation throughout its length, RCC capping on top, building 10 metre RCC backing structure with 10 feet foundation up to the height of 145 feet in downstream face of the dam, binding the RCC structure using shear keys and concrete grouting with old structure and building additional drainage galleries along with additional sluice gates for water evacuation.
• The Kerala Government enacted the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act on 18.3.2006, prohibiting raising of water level beyond 136 feet in the Mullaperiyar dam. The Act enlisted Mullaperiyar as an ‘endangered dam’. This was done after the Supreme Court Order dated 27.2.2006 permitting to raise the water level up to 142 feet from the earlier level of 136 feet after strengthening of the dam.
• However, the Empowered committee assured the safety of the dam and the five bench Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court in its judgement dated 7.5.2024 declared the Kerala Act as unconstitutional and constituted a three-member supervisory committee for dealing with further issues between the States.
• The issue was further accelerated after the unfortunate disaster in Wayanad District of Kerala after the multiple landslides and life loss on July 31, 2024. The Mullaperiyar phobia is precipitating after the Wayanad disaster and is gradually snowballing. The Kerala Government insists that a new dam should be constructed down streams of the existing dam. The Tamil Nadu Government maintains that the dam is safe for water retention and the status needs to be maintained. The IIT Roorkee also maintains that the dam is safe except for a very strong earthquake of more than 6.5 Richter scale in the locality which cannot be expected.
• Now the two States are almost politically divided and the social unrest may erupt at any point of time. At this context, the remedy is available through alternative thinking. The Tamil Nadu requires water for irrigation and even for power generation. Kerala wants to ensure safety. Now the words of technical experts like Dr E Sreedharan count a lot. He maintains that an additional tunnel to Tamil Nadu to evacuate water from Mullaperiyar reservoir and to maintain the water level at 110 feet or the required level of safety will be the best option. Additional reservoirs can be constructed in Vaigai valley to store water for irrigation.
• Dr E Sreedharan’s view is supported by ecologists and lay men who want a guarantee for safety of the dam. (A press report about the seminar in which Dr E Sreedharan presented this alternative suggestion is enclosed)
• Shri P N Unnikrishnan, a former top-level officer from Indian Forest Service, well known for his barefooted approach towards Western Ghat ecology, has written a couple of articles on Mullaperiyar dam with similar alternative thinking. Apart from the agricultural part, he gives significance to the landscape of Periyar Tiger reserve also. Additional reservoirs along the Tamil Nadu valley in the eastern side of Mullaperiyar reservoir is the most viable and acceptable solution for the issue. (Copies of the articles by Shri P N Unnikrishnan are enclosed separately)
• This suggestion is going to be objected by both the Governments for two reasons. The Kerala Government wants to construct a new dam for reason on grounds of safety to Kerala people. They are willing to execute the work at the cost of Kerala Government. The reason for objection from Tamil Nadu must be about hindrance in sustained power generation. To compensate for this, Tamil Nadu can go for pumped storage system and also floating solar panels in the reservoirs to be constructed as per this new concept.
• A consensus can be reached to implement this new concept only by the intervention of the Central Government.

This note is submitted for favor of finding a solution for this otherwise never-ending problem.

Mullaperiyar Dam- A note on emerging new concept of conservation.

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