The Supreme Court is considering a safety audit for the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam due to ongoing safety concerns. The court criticized the Central government for not forming the National Committee on Dam Safety as required by the 2021 Act. Kerala argues the dam is unsafe, while Tamil Nadu relies on it for water. The case will continue on January 22.
New Delhi: In an ongoing issue regarding the long-standing safety concerns surrounding the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala, the Supreme Court on Wednesday (Jan 8th) indicated that it might order a safety audit to address public fears.
A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan remarked that it could direct the Central government to form an expert committee to inspect and assess the dam’s condition.
“We can ask the Central government to form an expert committee, get the dam assessed, and take a call,”
the Court said.
The Court also expressed concern over the failure of the Central government to constitute the National Committee on Dam Safety, as mandated by the Dam Safety Act of 2021. It sought a response from the government, noting,
“We find that in terms of the Act, the committee of members under Section 5(1) was required to be constituted within 60 days of the Act’s commencement and reconstituted every three years. No such national committee has been constituted, and no rules have been framed for its functioning.”
The Mullaperiyar dam, constructed by the British, is a source of friction between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. While the dam and its catchment area are in Kerala, Tamil Nadu uses the water for irrigation and drinking, benefiting five districts.
In its 2014 judgment, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Tamil Nadu, declaring the dam safe and allowing the water level in the reservoir to be maintained at 142 feet. The Court also established a supervisory committee to manage the dam.
Kerala, however, has consistently argued that the dam is unsafe and should be decommissioned. The situation escalated during the Kerala floods of 2018, prompting an interim order to temporarily lower the water level to 139 feet.
The Court flagged the lack of provision in the Dam Safety Act for the supervisory committee constituted under its 2014 judgment. It noted that while the committee exists, it is not part of the Act’s framework, further underscoring the need for the national committee.
The Supreme Court issued a notice to the Central government, instructing the Attorney General’s office to assist in the matter.
“Let notice be issued to Union. Let a copy be served on the office of Attorney General, and the AG to assist the court on the next date of hearing,”
the Bench directed.
The case will be revisited on January 22, with a potential safety audit and compliance with the Dam Safety Act as key points of focus.
FOLLOW US ON YOUTUBE FOR MORE LEGAL UPDATES