A subcommittee comprising representatives of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and a senior official of the Central Water Commission will be formed on August 1 to monitor the implementation of a Supreme Court order raising the Mullaperiyar water level from 136 to 142 ft.
A three-member high-power committee comprising chairman M.V. Nathan, Chief Engineer, Dam Safety Organisation, Central Water Commission, and members M.V. Kurien, Additional Chief Secretary, Kerala, and M.Saikumar, Principal Secretary, Public Works Department, Tamil Nadu, on Thursday inspected the dam and the measures adopted by the Tamil Nadu government for raising the water level.
They also inspected the spillway shutters that had been closed for raising the water level.
Later, addressing the media , Mr. Nathan said the Supreme Court order was final and the committee would monitor its implementation in a smooth way satisfactory to the two States.
He said the subcommittee would meet every week and transmit information daily to the two States. An office for the subcommittee would start functioning on August 10 near the dam site. Tamil Nadu would prepare an operation schedule to raise the water level, he said.
Mr. Kurien, raising objections, said there was clear violation of three Acts, Environment Protection Act, Wildlife Protection Act and Protection of Tribal Life Act, in implementing the Supreme Court order.
He said the loss of forestland and houses of the tribal people to be submerged in the waters were impediments in raising the water level to 142 ft, adding that mitigating steps needed to be taken.
However, Mr. Nathan said the Supreme Court was categorical on raising the water level and the committee also believed that there were no safety issues with the dam.
“Environmental and other issues are not under the purview of the monitoring committee. The suggestion of the State (raised by Mr. Kurien) stands rejected,” he said, adding that the committee would again meet on August 10.
Leaders of the tribal community from Mannakudy and Paliyakudy, in the area to be submerged once the water level is raised to 142 ft, met the committee and handed over a memorandum.
