MULLAPERIYAR DAM

Kerala will shortly renew its campaign for a new dam at Mullaperiyar as the revised Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the new structure is getting ready.

The new DPR, which complies with the guidelines of the Central Water Commission (CWC), will be ready by March. Experts recently completed the design of a new dam that has been proposed 366 metre downstream of the 126-year-old existing one

2. New Guidelines 

• The CWC (Central Water Commission) implemented a set of guidelines for dam construction following Kerala's preparation of the DPR (Detailed Project Report) in 2011. Those informed about the situation mentioned that the costs for various project components have increased since the last DPR, hence the need for a revision.
• Recently, the State government approached the CWC to expedite approval for a new dam's construction. Additionally, the State expressed its readiness to supply water to Tamil Nadu from this new dam.
• Kerala and Tamil Nadu have been embroiled in a prolonged legal dispute regarding the stability and other related aspects of the current dam. Kerala has been advocating for a new dam primarily on safety grounds.
• Both states witnessed significant protests after Kerala raised safety concerns and called for the decommissioning the existing dam

3. What do we Know about the Mullaperiyar Dam?

The Mullaperiyar Dam is located in the southern Indian state of Kerala, but it's owned and operated by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

Here are some key points about the dam:

• Situated in the Western Ghats, the Mullaperiyar Dam is built across the Periyar River in the state of Kerala
• Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is owned, maintained, and operated by the Government of Tamil Nadu based on a 999-year lease agreement signed in 1886
• The primary purpose of the dam is to divert water from the Periyar River's catchment area to the Vaigai River basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation and drinking water purposes
• The dam has been a subject of contention between Kerala and Tamil Nadu due to concerns over its structural integrity. Kerala has raised concerns about the dam's safety due to its age and the potential risk to downstream areas in case of a dam failure. Tamil Nadu contends that the dam is safe and necessary for meeting its water needs
• The two states have engaged in a prolonged legal battle over the Mullaperiyar Dam's safety and the need for a new dam. Kerala has called for decommissioning the existing dam and constructing a new one, while Tamil Nadu has insisted on raising the dam's water level, citing its necessity for irrigation
• The issue has reached the Supreme Court of India multiple times, and the court has issued various directives regarding the water level and safety measures to address concerns from both states

• Kerala has raised serious concerns about the dam's structural integrity due to its age and the potential risks associated with a dam failure. There have been apprehensions that the dam, which is over a century old, might not withstand a major earthquake or natural calamity, posing a threat to the downstream areas in Kerala
• Tamil Nadu, which owns and operates the dam, asserts its rights to receive a certain amount of water from the Periyar River through the dam for irrigation purposes in the Vaigai River basin. There have been disagreements between the two states regarding the permissible water level in the dam and the quantity of water to be released to Tamil Nadu
• The disagreement between Kerala and Tamil Nadu has escalated into a legal battle that has been ongoing for decades. Both states have filed numerous cases and counter-cases in courts, including the Supreme Court of India, seeking decisions on issues related to the dam's safety, water sharing, and the need for a new dam
• The Mullaperiyar Dam issue has significant political implications for both states. It has been a point of contention in the political landscape of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with each state advocating for its respective stance on the dam's safety and water-sharing agreements

Periyar river   Originating in the Western Ghats of Kerala, the Periyar River is one of the longest rivers in the state, flowing through parts of Tamil Nadu before draining into the Arabian Sea The river plays a vital role in sustaining the biodiversity of the region, notably within the Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. This sanctuary is known for its rich flora and fauna, including diverse species of birds, mammals, and reptiles. The Periyar River is harnessed for hydroelectric power generation through the Idukki and Idamalayar dams. These dams contribute significantly to the power supply in Kerala It serves as a crucial water source for both irrigation and drinking purposes in the regions through which it flows, supporting agricultural activities and serving as a primary water source for local communities The river is associated with the Mullaperiyar Dam, which has been a subject of dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu due to concerns over its structural safety and disagreements regarding water-sharing agreements The Periyar River has historical and cultural significance, with various communities relying on it for their livelihoods and traditions. It is integral to the socio-economic fabric of the regions it traverses

 

 

5. What is the Dam Safety Act?

 

• The Dam Safety Act, introduced to the Rajya Sabha in December 2021, aimed to address issues of inadequate monitoring and maintenance that have led to dam-related disasters.
• This legislation outlined specific duties and required the establishment of both national and state-level bodies to enforce its provisions.
• It proposed the creation of a National Committee on Dam Safety responsible for overseeing policies and regulations, a National Dam Safety Authority tasked with implementation and the resolution of state-level disputes, designating the Chairman of the Central Water Commission (CWC) to lead national dam safety protocols, and the formation of State Committees on Dam Safety (SCDS) and State Dam Safety Organizations (SDSO)
• The Dam Safety Act (DSA) 2021 was enacted by the Union Government of India to prevent dam failure-related disasters. The act focuses on the proper surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of specified dams. It also establishes an institutional mechanism to ensure their safe functioning
• The act was notified by the Government of India on December 14, 2021, and came into effect on December 30, 2021.
• The act provides for institutional mechanisms for surveillance, inspection, operation, and maintenance of the specified dams. The Central Water Commission (CWC) provides technical expertise and guidance on all matters related to dams.
• Failure to comply with any provision of the act is punishable with imprisonment and/or fines. If such obstruction or refusal to comply with directions results in loss of lives or imminent danger thereof, the entity shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years

 

 

 

Previous Year Questions   1. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? (UPSC CSE 2010)      Dam/Lake       River (a) Govind Sagar :   Satluj (b) Kolleru Lake   :   Krishna (c) Ukai Reservoir:   Tapi (d) Wular Lake :       Jhelum Answer: (b) 2.Consider the following statements: (UPSC CSE 2009) There are no east flowing rivers in Kerala. There are no west flowing rivers in Madhya Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 Answer: (d)

 

 

Source: The Hindu