On Thursday, January 25, the Kerala Government stated that constructing a new dam to replace the existing over 125-year-old structure in the Mullaperiyar River, located in the high-range district of Idukki, is the only solution to ensure the safety of the lakhs of people living downstream. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been embroiled in a decades-long dispute over this dam.
Kerala’s perspective on this age-old dispute
Kerala for a long time, has been insisting on decommissioning the current dam and building a new one instead.
Governor Arif Mohammed Khan, in the customary policy address to the State Assembly, emphasized the government’s stance. According to the address, the government believes that constructing a new dam with
updated design and construction standards downstream of the existing Mullaperiyar dam is the only way to ensure the safety of the people living downstream.
Kerala has argued that the Mullaperiyar dam, which has surpassed its intended lifespan of 50 years, is showing signs of structural flaws. They are concerned that if the dam were to fail, the lives of millions would be in danger.
Kerala Vs Tamil Nadu: War over water
The Mullaperiyar Dam, built in 1895 over the Periyar River in Kerala, is managed by Tamil Nadu. Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been in a prolonged dispute over the Mullaperiyar Dam for years.
This has been the source of tussles over the years. Kerala asserts that the 126-year-old dam poses a danger to its residents. The Kerala government has been advocating for a new dam for years, pointing to frequent tremors and changing rain patterns in the Idukki district where the old dam is located.
Tamil Nadu contends that the dam is crucial for its farmers, emphasizing its absolute safety. In contrast, Kerala has fervently advocated for the construction of a new dam near the existing one, citing concerns about frequent tremors and changing rain patterns. Despite Kerala’s insistence, Tamil Nadu opposes the idea, expressing apprehension about relinquishing control if a new dam is built.
The battle between the two states has been ongoing for decades. Whether the new dam will solve the problem or prove detrimental to Tamil Nadu and Kerala in the long run is a question for the future itself. However, many researchers fear that if a new dam is constructed in Kerala, it may lead to significant deforestation of the Western Ghats, which is not good for the environment and could result in more disasters.
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