Mullaperiyar Dam Safety Concerns Reach Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has expressed the possibility of issuing directions to bolster the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala following concerns about its safety and structural stability. Highlighted was the need for an expert body to examine the feasibility of constructing a new structure.

Notices have been sent to the Centre, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala governments, along with the National Disaster Management Authority, in response to a public interest litigation (PIL) by the NGO Save Kerala Brigade. The litigation calls for the decommissioning of the existing dam due to safety concerns and the development of a new one.

The aging structure, built in 1895, is seen as a threat due to its seismic vulnerability, exacerbated by climate changes and excessive flooding. The plea advocates for expert inspection and requests interim safety measures including the reduction of the reservoir level. It seeks a reassessment of the dam's safety and a strategic plan for its future.

(With inputs from agencies.)