At this point, when there is an overflow of emotions on the Mullaperiyar dam issue, the priority cannot be going into the merits of the arguments pressed by Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Suffice it to note that Kerala fears for the safety of the 116-year-old dam situated in Idukki district and wants a new dam to be built in its place. Tamil Nadu's stand is that the dam, which supplies water, mainly for irrigation purposes, to several of its districts, is perfectly safe and the fears are baseless. Both sides see vital interests — questions of life and death — at stake. The process of finding a sustainable solution is under way: in a matter of weeks, an empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India will give its opinion on the safety questions after examining the reports of various experts. Meanwhile, there has been some ugly fallout — stray acts of violence reported from different locations — on both sides of the border. Chauvinistic forces have tried to exploit the situation but the major political leaders in both States have responded soberly and responsibly while reiterating their positions on the issue. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has called on political parties to desist from making inflammatory speeches on the issue, and on Keralites not to succumb to the machinations of “mischief-mongers.” Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has appealed for absolute restraint on the part of his State. Kerala's position was clear, he explained — water for Tamil Nadu, safety for its people — and the State government wanted to resolve the issue, keeping the good relations with Tamil Nadu intact.
The sobriety at the top needs to be followed up on the ground. Every effort must be made to deal firmly with the disruptive elements behind the violence. Equally important, people in both States need to be assured that this is an issue that can be resolved scientifically and amicably. The Mullaperiyar dispute is not about water-sharing, which would allow give and take at a political level. The resolution of the safety issues, and consequential questions, must necessarily come through the agency of technical expertise — and in this case along a legal track. But what political leadership at the top can do is to reach across the border and engage constructively to damp the overheated situation. As Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has pointed out, Kerala and Tamil Nadu can count on mutual trust, goodwill, and esteem, built up and nurtured over a long period. In creating an atmosphere conducive to finding and implementing a scientific, just, and sustainable solution to the Mullaperiyar issue, the media, writers, academics, cultural leaders, and other sections of the intelligentsia in both States have a vital role to play.
Keywords: Mullaperiyar issue, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
The issue of Mullaperiyar dam has been allowed to develop into a highly emotive political issue between two states. It is a ridiculous situation which in a way reflects the fault lines in Indian constitution, politics and sense of national identity.
It is all about the safety of a very old dam in a river whose water is shared between two states. There is no significant dispute about the sharing of the resources. So if the concern is the safety of the dam, the only rational and logical action available would be to make a scientific structural assessment of the dam. If any defects are identified, appropriate remedial action should follow. In case the technical expertise or instruments available in India are inadequate for the task, then this is an ideal case for using foreign expertise.
Central Government has to take a critical view of how this issue has been hijacked by the politicians, pseudo-scientists and media. Whipping up mass fear and hysteria on such sensitive issues where only technical solutions are applicable, should not only be discouraged but also be made culpable. Matters such as river water which are national resources to be shared between peoples living in different states should be under the jurisdiction of Central Government. The management and maintenance of such resources should be made under the governance of an authority such as a National River Authority similar to that in UK and other European countries. This will prevent local political groups and vested interests interfering with the environmental management essential for the long term maintenance of such natural resources for future generations and exploiting any disputes that may arise between states. If we had such a non-political authority India would have had a very efficient national river management system decades ago. The dream of an interconnected river water management Nehru had in the 1950’s still remain a dream for want of a national authority to take decisions based on wider national interest.
The issue of Mullaperiyar dam has been allowed to develop into a highly emotive political issue between two states. It is a ridiculous situation which in a way reflects the fault lines in Indian constitution, politics and sense of national identity.
It is all about the safety of a very old dam in a river whose water is shared between two states. There is no significant dispute about the sharing of the resources. So if the only concern is the safety of the dam, the only rational and logical action available would be to make a scientific structural assessment of the dam. If any defects are identified, appropriate remedial action should follow. In case the technical expertise or instruments available in India are inadequate for the task, then this is an ideal case for using foreign expertise.
Central Government has to take a critical view of how this issue has been hijacked by the politicians, pseudo-scientists and media. Whipping up mass fear and hysteria on such sensitive issues where only technical solutions are applicable, should not only be discouraged but also be made culpable.
The war of words between the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamilnadu would make you wonder if this issue is being contested between India and Pakistan! It is a shame that narrow regional interests cloud the bigger picture i.e we are all Indians and there is a human side to the issue. Flooding of land downstream of any Dam is a serious matter and has to be isolated from the theatrics of Politicians.I cannot imagine Alberta fighting Manitoba over a river dispute to threaten each other. It is time Chief Ministers understand that, whereas they were elected from their State, they have a responsibility to the Indian State!
In view of the new threats of frequent earth tremors in the region, appointing an empowered committee by the Supreme Court on the safety of the existing dam may be valid. If its recommendation confirms Tamil Nadu stand to retain the existing dam, Kerala is not going to accept. It may be noted, Supreme Court’s existing order to increase the level to 142 feet has been ignored by Kerala state. Tamil Nadu may not be averse to the idea of a new dam, but it is wary of the real intentions of Kerala government to divert water to Idukki reservoir, as explicitly expressed by Mr. Veerappan, the ex chief structural Engineer in his Jaya TV Interview. He even referred to clauses in their new dam proposals, that water would be shared with Tamil Nadu only if available, a reference that greatly concerns Tamil Nadu interests. The current defiant stand of T.Nadu could be to ensure that the state gets its full quota of water as envisaged in the earlier agreements in case the decision goes for a new dam.
Talk at length without giving views on the issue, is an essential ingredient of your Editorial board.
In African countries, this style is referred to as talking grammar.
this means articulating without substance.
The Editorial has not commented on the safety claim of kerala.
do not force your readers to remind of an article in the Illustrated weekly, two decades ago that
for authentic news, read the hindu, but for views, look elsewhere.
It is important political leaders and head of both states consider the people of both the states as people of the ONE nation and act responsibly. A dialogue between the chief ministers with mediation of PM will help resolve the issue.
It is high time people and the politicians rose above petty politics and look at it from one nation's point of view.
Editorial is inclined towards Tamil Nadu. Kerala Govt. has stated that
they will release same amount of water even after construction of new
dam. This dam has already served twice its lifespan. Why Jayalalitha is
not ready to attend talks called by Central Govt.? If the dam collapses
4 districts in Tamil Nadu will turn in to a desert. It is the
requirement of the both the states to secure the safety and lives of its
people.
As the water belongs to Kerala and the beneficiary is Tamilnadu , both
parties will have their tall claims. But, first think about the
foolish pact signed in 1880's. The dam's guarantee was only for sixty
years and the pact for 999 years...Is Tamilnadu is thinking that the
dam will stand for 999 years???If ,due to some natural causes , the
dam crumbles and what will be the end result???Heavy loss for Kerala
and Total loss for Tamilnadu..So at first both states must come around
a table and think loudly, what can be done??Evolve a consensus that
satisfies commonsense.Both states are having same people having
different languages...At last brotherhood must prevail...
The blame game can go on some other time. Time is running out very fast if Oomen Chandy is correct that the dam needs to be repaired immediately. What I think the solution to the problem could be to issue an investigating team, under the Central Government, and to strudy the situation in detail and quickly, and report it to the Centre about future actions. If the team says that the dam is ok and can wear the tear for another 50 odd years then the situation is under control; but if the team says that it need to be repaired then the Centre must intervene to build to dam. Both, Kerala and TN can say 'the dam is breached' or 'the dam is ok', but to be able to get the real picture, the Centre should make a team of experts to analyse the Mullaperiyar dam situation.
I am still confused about the issue. Is it technical or political or
economics. For example
1. As of now the dam is under the control of Tamil Nadu Govt or Kerala
Govt
2. If a new dam is built by Kerala, will the control go over to Kerala
Govt? that means Kerala will control the flow of water to Tamil Nadu?
3. Will the charge Tamil Nadu pays for the water will become higher in
the new negotiations?
4. Will the 999 year contract will remain intact?
Kerala says same amount of water will be delivered, is it the same at
120 ft or at 135ft?
Let us get to the bottom of the issue.
It is the duty of the respective states to explain on the accord to the people to relinquish their anxiety or apprehensions for which both ruling and opposition parties in both states have to get united together.
The empowered experts’ committee has to find out whether there is 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.
Let us all hope for adequate irrigation to paddy fields of Ramanad or Theni districts in Tamil Nadu as desired by farmers in the region and also ensure safety to the human settlements in Idukki, Ernakulam and Kottayam districts in Kerala. Everyone should know that ‘Mullaperiyar’ is not a ‘water sharing dispute’, but only a matter of lack of understanding between leaders of two states.
The Central government should have the guts to caution both state and its leaders. Let leaders of both states come forward to ensure normalcy in all respects the inter-state region. The urgent need of the hour is to bring back a very conducive atmosphere for the facilitation of trade, passage of all public and private transports wherein no body shows any reaction of detestation on people from the neighboring state. They should desist from showing regionalist-prejudice and stop giving inflammatory press statements that flare up the issue. It will be fine if they don’t express abnormal concern on the hypothetical threat to their district or home state ignoring the plight of people across the state-border and the whole of India. People of both states should not give any chance for breeding a sort of discord between themselves and undermine their good sense and maturity.
Salute ‘The Hindu’ for yet another editorial for intrepidly coming put to show finger towards politicians and ruffians taking advantage of the Mullaperiyar row between TamilNadu and Kerala. There are diehard groups in both states which instigate people to get infected with the feeling abhorrence on people of neighboring states and prompt them to indulge in violence or attack shops or business enterprises owned by people from across the border.
In fact the issue being encountered by both states now is so simple while one state is worried on the safety of its people and the other has lack of confidence on the former’s assurance on continuing diversion of water for irrigating its drought prone southern districts once the existing dam is replaced by constructing a new one.
Your editorial is a well balanced and statesmanly masterpiece. After Keralites and Tamilians are not Pancha Pandavas or Kauravas. The incitement for violence is mainly by unscrupulous political non weights. The educated youth from both the sides should eschew all narrow pastures and lead the people for a peaceful solution. And most important thing is Leaders should lead and not be led by masses
So long the issue remains in the ambit of scientific knowlege & based on technical studies it has to be left to the final view of the experts. In other words the common man including politicians have no say in the matter except making the people aware of the problem. And instead of whipping the sentiments & make the mass emotional the leadership on both sides should see that the independent experts' view is expedited for immediate & timely action. And this is the role of politicians in the issue. Any sensible man will wish both safety & water for the well being of both Kerala & Tamilnadu. As rightly pointed out in the 'editorial' the intelligensia of both the states has very important & unbiased role to play and let us hope they will listen!
The editorial betrays a modicum of your propensity to Tamil Nadu. How can the people living down stream remain totally detached and unemotional, when an avalanche of disturbing exposures about the dam come crashing out? That the Mullaperiyar dam spirals toward disaster is never debatable. It is stated to be the only dam of its kind in the world. Built of sand and 'surky', it has outlived three times its life span. Expert studies unravel that it has started eroded. The snaps of the dam taken sub-water level show cracks and crevices. The water that comes through the crevices contains traces of 'surky'.How can then the humanity counting in lakhs live in the area with peace of mind. Well, let us be rid of emotions fancying that the media hype need not be taken seriously. Even if it carries a molecule of truth, the green signal for a new dam ensuring safety for the 'Keralites and water for the Tamils' is sure justified. Time to prevent a disaster is before it happens.
There can be no doubt in the mind of a civilized human being that if the dam poses a threat to the lives of people it should be decommissioned. There is no room for debate on this issue. The only question that can be debated is whether it poses such a problem; and this question can be answered purely objectively through scientific methods by experts on dam safety. So instead of inciting the passions of the people through inflammatory speeches and gestures, let the politicians in both the states hasten the process of a purely objective study of the dam safety. It is also somewhat odd that the dam is situated in Kerala territory and yet that state neither has any decisive say in matters concerning it, nor derives any benefit from it, but only faces the catastrophic consequence of being swept away out of existence if it breaks.
hope the politicians on either side will read this.
Many dams have been built in India about the same time and safety issues of all these become critical at some point along their lives. This illustrates well a need which has been missing in modern civilization, to study deeply the future scenario at the end of the tether. Similarly many other dangerous structures have been the bane, namely coal mines, uranium mines, nuclear power programmes. The safety issues cannot be left to the time when they become a matter of life and death,even for future generations extending to millennia. This is a serious lacuna of modern civilization. It just moves from crisis to crisis until the inertia can no longer be tolerated by Mother Earth. This is because of the destructive extinction level situation built up dynamically by the cumulative effects of modern civilization. Science and technology of processes has a standard way to deal with such accumulations, the proportional,integral and differential method to ensure harmony but greed breeds corruption!
The process of finding a sustainable solution is under way: in a matter of weeks, an empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court of India will give its opinion -- Wish everyone understand this & maintain peace!! Also, Indian republic should identify & punish severely ,the roots from where the rumours & false claims regarding dam burst & its aftermath arise. These rumours & the corresponding damages, an act of disgrace.
It is very unfortunate to see this issue being handled like this. It is not befitting for a civilized society. The dam issue is a technical issue. And technical issues can be solved with proper investigation. This issue need to be addressed to by engineers and scientists not by politicians and hooligans. The politician contractor nexus is responsible for flaring this into an issue. There is money to make in rebuilding a dam. It is high time we behave as Indians one country one people. In a short time the committe will submit its report we should have the stomach to accept its verdict. Let us not make it into a ego clash. Bharathmatha ki Jai.
Your advice is very sound; we need to follow moderate views. There should be a desire to seek and arrive at solutions. People of the both the states, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, would only be losers if they get influenced by short-sighted politicians who are in plenty every where. River water disputes are not some thing which cannot be solved through amicable discussions.
Interstate issues like - Mullaperiyar dam, Belgaon border issue, water disputes between states need to be resolved earliest. Clear reason is - after communal sentiments, regionalistic chauvinism is the very next threat to diverse country like India. After recommendations by many commissions and Supreme Court, Government of India finally set up Interstate Council in 1990s. Most of the state issues have their origin in the eara of post independence. Clearly, there are signs that - use of such issues for political gain is the trend from begining. Question is - are our political parties balancing Regionalistic Politics with integrity of nation? Regional identity is necessary but it should not undermine integrity. GOI needs to be proactive in resolving interstate issues.
Our politicians are adept in fishing in troubled waters. For them conflicts give an opportunity to whip up emotions. Even on purely technical matters, they come to conclusions on their own. The result is dividing people. Much more than that, they want people to think alike. Anyone with no opinion or contrary opinion is labelled as a traitor to his or her community. This makes the intelligentia to keep mum when they know people are being taken for a dangerous ride. The editorial is balanced and to the point.
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