In a significant development, the Supreme Court recently issued a notice to the Central government, along with the state governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This action follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) calling for the construction of a new dam to replace the venerable 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam, citing serious concerns about its safety and structural integrity.
The petition, brought forth by the ‘Save Kerala Brigade,’ was heard by a bench that included Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran. The petitioners highlighted the dire situation, emphasizing that an estimated 10 million people reside perilously close to the British-era dam.
Chief Justice Gavai commented that “some directions may be needed for strengthening the existing dam,” and proposed that an expert body should thoroughly examine the matter to evaluate both the current dam’s safety and the practicality of building a new structure. The Mullaperiyar dam, an engineering marvel from 1895, spans the Periyar River in Kerala’s Idukki district. It is currently managed by Tamil Nadu under a long-standing lease agreement. For years, this arrangement has fueled a heated dispute: Kerala consistently raises alarms about the dam’s age and vulnerability to seismic activity, while Tamil Nadu steadfastly defends its operational importance for providing vital irrigation and drinking water to numerous southern districts.
Representing the petitioners, Senior Advocate V. Giri powerfully argued that the dilapidated dam represents a grave danger to the lives and property of almost 10 million residents downstream in Kerala. He implored the Court to mandate the construction of a new dam, asserting it is the only way to guarantee public safety.
The Public Interest Litigation explicitly lists the Central government, the governments of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and the National Disaster Management Authority as key respondents in this critical legal challenge.