New Delhi, Oct 13 – The Supreme Court has ordered that notices be sent to the Central Government and to the state of Tamil Nadu. The order comes after a petition filed by the Kerala‑based group Save Kerala Brigade called for the decommissioning of the oldest Mullaperiyar dam and the building of a new dam at the same site.
The bench, led by Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran, told the parties to act. “Mullaperiyar is one of the oldest dams,” Gavai said. Senior Advocate V Giri, representing the petitioner, agreed that the dam is about 130 years old and warned that “the lives of roughly 10 million people are at risk.” He asked the court to explain the real safety problems, noting that a new dam would affect water supplies for Tamil Nadu.
The Mullaperiyar dam, built by the British a century ago, has long been a flashpoint between Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Kerala repeatedly cites its age and structural fragility as reasons for dismantling it, while Tamil Nadu argues that the dam remains structurally sound and essential for water. The reservoir, though located entirely in Kerala, supplies water to five districts in Tamil Nadu, making it a lifeline for the state.
In 2014 the Supreme Court ruled in favour of Tamil Nadu, declaring the dam safe and mandating a water level of 142 feet. It also set up a supervisory committee to manage the dam’s operations. Tamil Nadu has continued to push for security measures to reinforce the structure. Yet Kerala’s concerns linger, keeping the dispute alive despite earlier court decisions and oversight arrangements.
This latest directive signals the apex court’s renewed interest in the Mullaperiyar debate. The outcome could reshape water management in the region and determine the future of one of India’s most controversial dams.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
