The fire over the age-old Mullaperiyar dam row has once again ignited. This time the Government of Kerala is approaching the court for relief to its people living near dam-river site.
The Tamil Nadu government has been operating the dam, produces hydro-electric power and distributes it in state. Apart from providing drinking water to the people of Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram, the diverted water is used to irrigate about 80,000 hectares of dry land in these districts.
Originated in Kerala and fully flowing through Kerala, Periyar is a rich source of water. For more than 100 years Tamil Nadu is irrigating and making power. Now the question is not water sharing but safety of the Dam. In an earth quake area, a 120 year old dam constructed without cement is a potential threat to 40 lakhs of people in Kerala. All reliable studies suggest a possible Mullapperiyar-dam collapse would collapse Idukki dam and eight others. And then the damage would be colossal.
As such it is the responsibility of TN Chief Minister to have a talk with his Kerala counterpart to alleviate the fear of several lakhs people living in the shores of Periyar.
K A Solaman
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