Supreme Court Reviews Tamil Nadu’s Plea To Raise Water Level
Tamil Nadu seeks Supreme Court approval to raise Mullaperiyar Dam water level to 142 feet. Kerala objects, citing serious safety concerns for nearby residents.
New Delhi: Today On Monday May 19, The Supreme Court of India is currently looking into a serious issue involving the Mullaperiyar Dam.
This dam, which has been a point of disagreement between the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, is once again in the news.
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Tamil Nadu wants to raise the water level of the dam up to 142 feet, but Kerala is worried about the safety of the people living nearby if the water level is increased.
The matter came up for hearing before a bench of the Supreme Court, which includes Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and NK Singh. During the hearing, both sides presented their concerns and views, and the Court is now carefully considering the matter.
Tamil Nadu, which operates the Mullaperiyar Dam, said that they have followed all the safety rules and that increasing the water level to 142 feet is safe.
They argued that the Supreme Court had earlier allowed this level and that there is no new reason to stop it now.
“The safety of the dam is being monitored regularly, and all measures are in place to manage the water level.”
Tamil Nadu added that they have taken permission from the Supervisory Committee, which was appointed by the Supreme Court to oversee the safety and functioning of the dam.
However, Kerala strongly opposed this move. The state government expressed that the dam is very old, and any increase in the water level could be risky.
They said that the safety of the people living downstream is the top priority.
“We are not against Tamil Nadu getting water, but our concern is the lives of people in the nearby areas,” Kerala said.
The state reminded the Court that the dam was built over 125 years ago and that even though strengthening work has been done, the structure remains vulnerable to natural disasters like earthquakes.
Kerala also requested the Court to direct the Supervisory Committee to conduct a fresh safety inspection before allowing any increase in the water level.
“We are only asking for a fair and fresh safety review keeping in mind the present conditions.”
They stated that their stand is not political but purely based on safety and public interest.
The Supreme Court listened to both sides and said it will examine the matter in depth. “This is a sensitive issue involving inter-state concerns.
We will not rush the decision and will consider all safety aspects.” The bench added that they will also look into the reports of the Supervisory Committee and the previous judgments related to the dam.
The case has been ongoing for several years, with several orders passed by the Court in the past.
The Supreme Court had earlier allowed Tamil Nadu to maintain the water level up to 142 feet after certain safety measures were completed.
But Kerala has consistently raised its concerns, especially during the monsoon season.
As of now, the Supreme Court has not made any final decision. The hearing will continue, and the bench has asked for more reports and documents related to the dam’s condition.
The next date of hearing will be announced soon.
This case highlights the long-standing tension between Tamil Nadu’s water needs and Kerala’s safety concerns.
The Supreme Court’s final order will play an important role in balancing the interests of both states while ensuring the safety of the people.
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