In a petition, it says this will help avert any immediate calamity
The Kerala government moved the Supreme Court on Thursday for a direction to the Tamil Nadu government to reduce the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam from 136 ft. to 120 ft. so as to avoid any immediate calamity.
Kerala has filed this application in the pending suit filed by Tamil Nadu questioning the law enacted by Kerala in 2006 to fix the level at 136 feet. The State said the 25 earthquakes or tremors that had occurred in the vicinity of the dam recently had threatened its safety, causing serious concern to the 50-lakh people living in the region downstream. The Centre for Earth Science Studies had stated that if there was a tremor with a magnitude of 6 or more the dam would collapse. The fear was further heightened by the incessant rains that lashed the catchment areas of the dam, shooting the storage beyond 136 feet.
Kerala said: “The Mullaperiyar dam undoubtedly stands on the rock, which was never investigated. The area in the downstream … is also a hilly region having high slopes. If the dam breaks, the water would surge rapidly at a high speed, which would wash away structures, trees and human lives. At the present storage level, water would reach the Idukki dam, covering a distance of 50 km within 30-45 minutes, and the Idukki dam would also eventually break open, releasing a huge amount of water of about 70 tmcft altogether.”
Rejecting Tamil Nadu's allegation that the emotions of the people of Kerala were being “whipped up,” it said: “The reaction was natural as evident from the bandhs and hartals, closure of schools and shutdown of commercial establishments. If the storage issue is not addressed, the situation may go out of hand.”
Keywords: Mullaperiyar dam issue, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, dam level, Supreme Court
Mani and Joseph belonging to chauvinistic, parochial. communal,
reactionary and bourgeois Party are fuelling the fire instead of
dousing it. Mulaperiyar river has been flowing quietly for years
without doing any harm to Kerala and TN. But Mani, Joseph and
Achuthanandan have stirred the calm water with an eye on Piravom
election. What is more, Mani's repeated assertion that the water level
will be brought to 120 has been ridiculously dismissed by the SC. The
demand for a new dam has been conspicuously ignored. Now Mani has
given a time limit of 10 days. If Mani goes ahead to build a dam,
Supreme Court has the power to order the centre to dismiss Kerala
government.
Our keralite friends should not forget, th Supremecourt has already
heard and considered all the objections being raised by Kerala for
raising the water level to 146 feet. Even after apex courts judgement,
the arrogant behaviour on part of Kerala is depictable and amounts to
contempt of Judiciary.
I thing this " Mullaipariyar" problems is need not this time, because many of the demand have tamil nadu state, so that why this small matter going the big problems creating this government. Peoples diverted this matter. so that peoples not asks other problems than escape. so government doing like this.
Always a good job right here. Keep rolling on trhoguh.
The problem is the government of Kerela is not good
but why cant you help with a new dam? why do you ask tamil nadu to help
ask them to make a new dam and save millions of people
If the dam is really in danger,the Kerala Govt. should take immediate
steps to reduce the water level to 120 ft..It is presumed that this
level is recommended by the Dam Safety Authority. To protect the lives
and properties of the people, the Govt. can and should take any step,
even if it violates any legal obligations. It will not require any
outside body's permission. As and when this is done,the Tamilnadu
Govt. will come forward with a request to construct a new, stronger
dam. Kerala Govt should grant this permission.Thereafter, a joint
petition may be filed in the Supreme Court.
NEHRU AND DAM: Mullaperiyar dam was designed and constructed by a famous and scholarly British engineer, Major John Pennyquick. The construction involved the use of troops from the 1st and 4th battalions of the Madras Pioneers as well as Portuguese carpenters from Cochin who were employed in the construction of the coffer-dams and other structures. In the same manner the Bhakra–Nangal dam was designed and constructed by the famous American engineer, Harvey Slocum. While dedicating the dam to the Nation, Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru said, "This dam has been built with the unrelenting toil of man for the benefit of mankind and therefore is worthy of worship. May you call it a Temple or a Gurdwara or a Mosque, it inspires our admiration and reverence".
But in Kerala Achuthanadan and Mani want to break the Mullaperiyar dam. As Nehru said the dam belongs to the Nation, Mullaperiyar does not belong to Kerala or Tamilnadu.
seeing all this comment i just want to ask only one question to both the politicians,is there any possible to build a strong wall near to the dam so that all the problems may solve.why dont you work on that instead of blocking roads and fighting.
If Kerala Government's primary concern is the safety of its people, it should demand Tamil Nadu Government to demolish the old dam and build a new one at the expense of Tamil Nadu state. Why should Kerala Government be keenly interested in building a new dam at the expense of 700 crores with the assurance of same quantum of water to Tamil Nadu? Strictly speaking, the real issue is not the safety of the people of Kerala but something else. Beware of the game-plan of Kerala Government!
I guess Kerala is also a part of India. Lets not fight how there nasty politicias fight. Did anyone thought why these polticians are taken this issue now. There is a BiElection which is about to come @ Kerala. They use this.
Lets us not fight like them. Let us be united always.
O.K.,If you feel Mullaiperiyar dam belongs to you as it is situated in kerala and you can do what ever you want to do with it,then Tamilnadu belongs to us.Take back all 35 lakh malayalees pursuing education,employment,business & industries in Tamilnadu.We will also take back less than 5 lakh Tamilians living in Kerala.
@ Mr.H.Peer mohammed,
This Dam never called as Mullaiperiyar, It is "MULLAPERIYAR" because Dam and Rivers are completely on the Land of Kerala; the longest river of Kerala 'Periyar' has tributary from other river Mullayar which leads to name the MullaPeriyar. The claims of Tamils to resources of Periyar(kerala) only because of the agreement which was between state of Travencore(The Great Travencore King) and Madras Provision's British Govt. on Pre Independent India. This incongruous agreement is the only tale for Tamils Politicians who want to create the tension on Mullaperiyar Issue. The Tamilandu Govt. has nothing to loose if any disaster that caused to Dam
Mullaperiyar is a Dam situated in Mallayar and Periyar both rivers flowing toward Kerala. Not to Tamilnadu..It is a purly Kerala based Dam. The Location the Dam is purly in Kerala site leased to Tamilnadu..
'Mullaperiyar' is still in Kerala, so that rightly justifies calling it that way instead of 'Mullaiperiyar' as some might argue.Fact is and people on both sides know that Tamil Nadu wants status quo to be maintained as a new dam would mean new treaty and terms and conditions. The concern of people on both sides are genuine, but the right approach by Tamil Nadu would be to bargain for a better deal for a new dam rather than hold on to the present one as if it breaks then they would never ever see another one in place.
No Tamilian in his right frame of mind will accept the risk of a catastrophe in Kerala. No Malayalee with righteousness will allow his state to dishonor the contractual obligation of supplying water to water starved Tamilnadu. Yes, if the dam in reality poses a threat to the lives and property in Kerala, it has to be decommissioned. On the other hand, if the dam is strong enough, Tamilnadu should be allowed to store 152 feet of water to put the dam to its maximum use. The strength of the dam can only be objectively tested by the tools of science. The war of words between Kerala and Tamilnadu only endangers the lives and properties of Malayalees in Tamilnadu and Tamilians in Kerala and this is no lesser catastrophe.
From "mulla periyar" instead of "mullai periyaar" shows your bias.
"The Hindu" losing more responsibility journalism virtues.
It is very sad to see some of the comments. From the way things are going I feel that nothing is going to help kerala to save human life. I am ashamed of being an Indian. You need power here to survive. I dont see any reason why Supreme court or Govt of India will be worried about human life. I would like to make myself believe what Tamil polititians are telling , so that I dont have to worry about my family living near Mullaperiyar ( or Mullaiperiyar ). People gets emotional just for how you spell the name of the dam and how can I expect a new dam there. I am praying for this dam to stay like this for another 1000 years so that my family will continue to exist in this planet.
Whey people of Kerala always refer to Tamil people as their brothers and sistes. Tamil people do not want any extra brothers and sisters for any reason. Its better to exist peacefully - nothing extra and nothing less. Basic concerns need to be adressed and not hoodwinked and swept under the carpet in the name of some dilillusioned brotherly concept. Did all people know LTTE leader V. Praphakaran was a Malayalee - check the web and also police investigatin team visited the relatives of him in Kerala. So where is atleast the mention of Kerala people in the Tamil Eelam issue. Is the actions of the LTTE chief entirely to be blamed on Tamils - does the Kerala community disown this person - what is their stand on this sticky issue right in their own backyard. Or are they only ready to eat the benefits once this happens at the cost of the Tamils.
In the highly charged rhetoric of kerala and Tamil Nadu politicians for and against on Mullaperiyaar Dam what is being forgotten is that Tamil Nadu has no locus standi in the matter of periyaar dam.The Dam and drainage area are in kerala.The government of Kerala has consitutional rights and obligation to takenecessary action for the benefit of people of kerala (including of tamilorigin) within its Jurisdiction (boundry of Kerala)
Tamil Nadu is illegally occupying the area demarcated in the 1886 agreement between British India and Tranvancore Raja.
Our constitution does not allow one state administer an area located in another state like a colony. 1886 agreement was between Colonial Britain and a small Raja. It was made under duress and therefore vitiated.When India got independence, both parties to the contract ceased to exist and the agreement expired. No minister or state government can sign an agreement with another state ceding territory and administrative power of that territory
Why you are always specify 'Mullaperiyar' instead of 'Mullaiperiyar'?.Is it your Kerala bias? please realize the moral responsibility of journalism and don't lose your long traditional values.
Let us anticipate that the empowered experts’ committee headed by Justice A.N.Anand is directed to look into the requisition and arrive at a conclusive report revealing any threat to the existing dam due to the intermittent tremors in the enclave. If there is chance for a catastrophe, while the seismic zone covering the dam is prone to earth-quakes up to 6.5 magnitudes (opinioned by the team of scientists from the Roorkee IIT), it should recommend for a new dam upon decommissioning the old one. On the other hand if the existing dam can withstand mild tremors that frequently happening as well any threat of earth-quakes, then there is no need for a new dam at this time. Of course the existing dam has to get proper maintenance on a continuous basis for its next phase of life. The resolution of the technical committee must pass through the legal track and there afterwards both states must be prepared to abide by the same and must declare that they have reached a win-win situation.
Petition before Supreme Court by Kerala is nothing but deliberate attempt for further delay of empower committee report to be presented very near
The safety of the dam, is a concern for the people living downstream, as it is the concern of the people living around the nuclear plant at Koodamkulam in TN. But we hear of the threat of dam bursting more from the politicians than from the experts. On what basis was the level of 120 ft mooted by Kerala as a safe level? What is the cost of keeping the water level in Idukki (i.e the loss of power generation to Kerala) in order to be able to contain the flow from Mullaperiar, in an emergency? These are questions to be answered by the experts and not by the politicians and the media. Why can't the decision for reducing the level/ constructing a new dam decided on the basis of the technical study made by the team already appointed by the Supreme Court? There is no doubt a fear psychosis whipped up in the media by statements made by the politicians in Kerala. It is time for experts from both states stepped in to remove the fear psychosis to avoid the situation turning ugly.
Hi Reader,
I just can't understand why Indian government is so careless to take
serious actions !It's cristal clear that the dam can't survive if
there is an earth quake more than 6 ! More over the dam is in damn
condition and a rebuilt is required in this situation.
At the same time we shold consider the feeling of the Tamilnad
Government too. What we can do now? Any way we can't compormise on
saftey so a new dam should be built also, continue to give the same
amount of water to Tamil Nadu after the construction of the new dam.
Sound good?
Anyway we should not play with more than 50 Lakhs of people's life.
Urgent actions should be taken from both state governments as well as
the Centeral Government.
surfs up
Please Email the Editor