The subject committee of the Kerala Assembly headed by Water Resources Minister P. J. Joseph visited Mullaperiyar dam as part of its assessment of the Mullapeiryar issue on Thursday,
The committee members observed various aspects of construction of the main dam, spillways and baby dam. They also inspected the belated clearing of debris and plant growth from behind the spillways (on the upstream side).
Though Tamil Nadu had been informed of the visit, none of its officials turned up. They had sought postponement of the visit, citing security reasons.
Speaking to the media during the visit, the Minister said that there was no guarantee that the Idukki dam would withstand failure of the Mullaperiyar dam. Mr. Joseph noted that studies by IIT, Delhi, had shown that the reservoir level in the Mullaperiyar dam could rise to 160 feet in the event of a once in a 100 year heavy rainfall and flood. The level had gone up five feet overnight early this month following heavy rain.
He said that Tamil Nadu was not being reasonable though the government had assured that it would get the same quantity of water as of now on construction of new dam. The Central government was failing to act despite his informing the Centre of the seriousness of the situation,
He urged that the Centre should urgently enact the dam safety legislation proposed to be brought by it.
Replying to questions, he said that the dam break analysis entrusted to IIT, Roorkie, would be ready in a month. The committee is understood to have decided to hear the Advocate-General on the controversy regarding his submissions before the High Court. It would also summon K. B. Valasalakumari of State Disaster Management Authority to elicit information on the State's preparedness against the possibility of a dam failure.
