Public sentiment regarding the Mullaperiyar Dam's safety is overwhelmingly negative, reflecting deep anxiety and urgent calls for immediate preventative action to avert a potential disaster. Many commenters underscore the fear of catastrophic failure, advocate for the construction of a new dam, and express frustrations towards both Kerala and Tamil Nadu's political responses, emphasizing that the lives at stake far outweigh political considerations.

Kerala Government

Tamil Nadu Government

Central Government

The biggest blunder we ever did during state separation was not fighting for Idukki district(or atleast a small part which has the dam) like the way we did for Kanyakumari.

Usurper96

A new dam funded by both states with water sharing treaty is the way to go. Karala needs to protect it's people from catastrophe and TN needs it for bringing more land under irrigation for food security of both states.

No better time than now as both CMs are politically in sync and look beyond their current regime in terms of planning long term infrastructure for their states.

We need a people movement through social media to bring permenant solution for this stalemate. Now in the right time.

Former-Mention8723

 "Although **located in Kerala**, the dam is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu under a 999-year lease agreement signed during the British Raj with the King of Travancore."  **Why does this matter btw?  The british left and there is no king of Travancore.  There is Pinarayi Vijayan** **atm.  Lol.**

"The core of the conflict revolves around the safe water storage level, with Tamil Nadu seeking to raise it to 142 feet to maximize irrigation benefits for its farmers, while Kerala argues that the aging masonry dam, constructed with lime surkhi mortar using 19th-century techniques, poses a significant safety risk due to seepage, cracks, and its location in a seismically active zone. Kerala has expressed concern that a catastrophic failure could endanger approximately 3 million people living downstream."

# Mullaperiyar Dam Solution

The only permanent solution proposed by the Kerala government to address the safety concerns of the 126-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam is to decommission the existing structure and construct a new dam downstream of the current site. This recommendation is based on the argument that no amount of repair or rejuvenation can ensure the long-term safety of the deteriorated dam, which was built in 1895 and is located in a seismic zone-III area. Kerala asserts that a cascading failure of the Mullaperiyar Dam and the downstream Idukki Dam could lead to a catastrophe affecting over 50 lakh people. The state has cited the decommissioning of the Victoria Dam in Australia, which was replaced due to safety concerns, as a precedent. A joint team of engineers from both states had identified a suitable site 1,300 feet downstream for a new dam as early as 1979, and borehole investigations confirmed good foundation rock, but the proposal was not pursued. While Tamil Nadu maintains the dam is safe and seeks to raise its water level, Kerala continues to advocate for the construction of a new dam as the only viable long-term solution to eliminate the "eternal threat" posed by the aging structure.

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Ok Machans, you want Mohanlal or Rajnikanth battle it out for a win or you going to do something?  :)

masterjv81

Since Congress party, DMK and CPM are part of India Block formed to fight BJP, they should discuss at the highest political level to arrive at absolution acceptable to all. Administration will implement what is decided politically

iyervsr

Please remember there are number of rivers that have been dams to divert water to TN all along the border between Kerala &amp; TN.


Building a new dam with more storage will make sense for TN. New Dam will be safety for Kerala. 


Keep power generation on TN side so that there's round the year power generation. With more storage this is possible. 


I am sure experts will have better solutions 🙏🏼


The cost of Dam should be split into 4 equal parts in a PSU Mullaperiyar Management Company Ltd

1: TN share of cost
2: Kerala share of cost
3: Government of India contribution 
4: public funding through a public issue. (Eg CIAL)

This should be a good funding structure

Sudden-Check-9634

Whats stopping tn from building a dam ? Why should we beg? I know building one is extremely cost intensive. But kaveri can't keep flowing

Due-Struggle6314

Kerala builds a dam and gives tn the control with a renegotiated lease time 🤷. Win win for all 

dinmab

juggernautism

Why aren't the resources of a state being stolen away and kept in their control. Aren't we losing out on hundreds of crores of rupees in revenue.

ToughRock99

Albador

Pm cares alla, chief minister's relief fund part 2

I too have the same opinion since ages.   
it was all just bullshit fear mongering.

[deleted]

sethuramaiyer

thehornsoffscreen

The Mullaperiyar story is too long but well documented.

Any one can read it off internet.

But to add: TN govt is richer, powerful and more loyal towards its people(mostly to ensure votes). If a new dam is built, many districts in TN will suffer, probably for decades during its construction and filling up phase. And tamilians (though our brothers) are highly emotional about the plight of their own people. So mallus are at a loss.
Our politicians left/right would sell our souls to devil at a moments notice - in the guise of logic ( like telling are AI camera good for us, (yes , I agree) but the fcuks are making a kill out it)

Thedarkxknight

One govt officer related to my friend told the kerala govt wanted to build a new dam and wants full control of it and they will open as per the previous  agreement    But tamilnadu wants full control of it even if u build a new dam. Two dams in same place means less water for tamilnadu. And how karnataka backstabbed in cauvery issue tamilnadu will not budge very easily. And kerala govt is not ready to give control even if they build a new dam.

vimalathithan1803

CM denying the facts that he believed in when he was in opposition. Smh

lonedrifterjk

Actually, there is another angle to this that NO ONE here is talking about. Innu rathri 'aa thakartho' ennu paranjaal naale raavile pani kazhiyilla. Decommissioning a large dam like Mullaperiyar will take years. The fact that it is already unstable worsens the problem. We also don't have the technological capability for this. We have to invest a lot in that direction. All in all it may take up to seven years for the complete removal.

TL;DR We have to start as early as possible. Verdict in 2021 means nights of sound sleep in 2028.

What's TN stance on this? I read in /r/tamilnadu that the TN govt is ready if Kerala govt wants to build a new dam but all existing conditions remain the same, that is, control remains with TN as it is now. But Kerala govt is not agreeing to that because they actually want control of the dam. Is that true?

If our concern is the safety, then we should agree to this right?

happygolucky

I'm sorry if this question sounds stupid.But why is our Government reluctant to give control of the dam to TN?What do we gain from controlling the dam?Like do we have the authority to use the power generated from it?Is control of a dam more important than the lives and infrastructure of the state?

Why is TN not willing to give control to us? Are they afraid we will shut the dam causing power and water scarcity in their state?Afterall the dam is in our state and we derive no benefit from it.Also in the event that  the dam breaks,how will it help TN?

One thing is for sure.....had the roles been reversed,TN would have basically told us to 'get fucked' and build a new dam/reinforce old dam long time back.

We take a diplomatic stance for way too long and will jump into action when it's too late.

Lead_farmer93

Dam's safety is the immediate concern for sure. What is the normal process that is followed when a structure reaches it's end of life? I assume that it is to decommission it and build a new one under a NEW contract. I don't know why everyone who is commenting is making it sound like changing the terms of the contract of a 126 year old dam which has outlived it's life (50 yrs) is an unethical thing to do. Actually it's the other way around. The fact that genuine fears for the dam's structural integrity is present should not be used to push through a (new) agreement which either party doesn't agree to.

adharshv


&gt;Center did the same in Kashmir  Article 370 recently.

Ik what you're trying to say, but that wasn't how art370 was removed ( although you're partly correct).

The thing with art370 was, it's clause 3 said that, this article could only be removed with the advice of constituent assembly. But the constituent assembly ended in 1957 after completing it's purpose ( making a special constitution for j&amp;k) . 

What the centre did was, firstly they used 370 to ammend art367 &amp; added a section 4 in it. On which many things were inserted, one of which said that from here after the constituent assembly refers to the state legislative assembly.   Now the central government just needed advice on the state legislative to repeal the article, since J&amp;K was put on presidential rule, legislative was dissolved &amp; all it needed was ascend from the governor. Thus the historical move of abrogation of article 370 took place.


Now back to this thread

&gt;In light of this there is no need to honor the contract and declare a state emergency and take over the dam to mitigate risk. Center did the same in Kashmir  Article 370 recently.

Why would centre do that?  If you look of political basis, centre a much to lose by doing that, first of all AIDMK would be pissed( sometimes BJP would need there Allies help in 2024) another thing is, BJP very slowly making inroads in TN.

On internal security basis, it'd create a big issue, a lot of IT professionals &amp; college students are there in TN they'll jave to face the wrath. Let's be real, TN peeps are pretty extreme in such cases.   We're more dependent on them, than they're on us. During the Kaveri incident, Karnataka could get away with there thuggery due the exact reason. In that, TN was on the receiving end.


What'll happen imo is, some more day's this mullaperiyar circle jerk would happen then everyone would be back to their daily lifes. Until next year. We do it over again &amp; again,until in the far future when it finally breaks. Then the politicians will play blame over the dead bodies.

I_need_helpppp_

One thing I do not understand is how an ancient contract signed under an imperial govt can be considered "valid" for 900 years. It's a poorly written one, back when the states barely even exist in their current form.

darth-fate

Q: If the dam broke how many politicians will be washed away

A: zero

Gandhi: be the change you want to see in the world

MGRoad

Valid points but they all relate to the safety of the dam so then I'm assuming you'd be cool with TN having the control of a new dam which is built and then the operation of it  handed to them as per the original contract ?

It seems like a lot of opposition is to the fact that Kerala keeps saying we are only concerned about the safety and that a new dam is needed. However when that topic comes, Kerala also starts insisting that the new dam should be under its control disregarding the original contract.

In this post also I see the arguments regarding safety and then the conclusion jumps to cancelling the contract and taking back ownership.

I'm not defending the contract or anything but let's be clear on what we are arguing for and say it properly without using safety issue as a backdoor way to cancel the contract. Both are different issues.

Archelaus77

There's also a risk of earthquakes damaging the dam. From what I've read, the dam was damaged twice by minor earthquakes. No one can predict earthquakes and the only solution is to build structures that can withstand it.

basil369

What prevents building a dam upstream of the existing dam?

cloud9ineteen

Except first point. The dam has been reinforced. It is structurally stable according to standing committee and last technical analysis done (is this 1985 IIT madrass). Another impartial technical study should be commissioned since there is outstanding controversy on the issue. 

Second and third points are valid.

kochapi

&gt;3. Climate change related frequent flooding, increased rainfall, increased landslides all point to need for immediate reduction in water volumes for safety inspections by independent safety panel. 

i don't necessarily agree with this part. Increased rainfall and flooding are mainly due to the global climate change than just a dam in a region.

Frequent flooding and landslides are due to the increased development in our state.  
\- The main reason for flooding are blocked waterway, all our old streams are blocked with developments.  
\- Landslides are due to the lack of drainage system, also due to bad plannings and development at the base of hilly regions. Ofc you can build houses on the hill and hill base but it need better planning.  


Building a new dam wont be an easy thing to do without both side compromising, it never going to happen. Kerala don't really need much water from the dam, where as TN really depends on it for farming. Once Kerala get the power of the dam, we may ofc charge them excessively.

ajm15

hocuspocusanonymous

Also, there are other factors here we have to consider while proposing a solution.

TN cannot, at least 3/4 districts of TN cannot survive without the water from Mullaperiyar. And since we are dependent on TN for Vegetables and other supplies, it'll will have repercussions on Kerala side too.

Kerala cannot live beneath the current dam, nor afford any new newly constructed dam to be leased for 999 years, no where in this world could we build a dam that holds for 999 years. Also, If there is no dam above Idukki, It will severely increase the water flow, and will be more than it could contain causing more floods.

Now if we consider the National issue, or even Humanity's future, we need to get rid of coal/carbon as soon as possible. The recent coal issue made it evident how much are we dependent on this dirty fuel for electricity. No matter how much EVs we have on road, we're still doomed. We need to tap every renewable energy resources possible, and Center has already asked Kerala to build more hydro electric projects.

So an ideal solution would be.. Obviously a new dam.
A new dam
* with power generation capability
* FREE water flow to TN, could be used for power generation
* no 999 bullshit, will be controlled by a committee with both Keralam and Tamilnadu representatives
* build together by Keralam and Tamilnadu

Peace.. Just a minute, oru karyam koodi.


Also take this precious attention to thank the M*F* British Empire for F*king the World so well from Mullaperiyar till Israel-Palestine issues.

Peace again!

EarthSkyAirWaterFire

Brother, thank you for opening my eyes. The first point itself is enough to build a new one.

MichealScott1991

If that dam broke then, will half of kerala be drowned?

Ok_Information9880

Did Kerala renew the lease in 2000? 

&gt; the rent alone herein mentioned shall be subject to revision once in every thirty years from the twentyninth day of May one thousand nine hundred and seventy at such rate as may be mutually agreed upon and the lessee doth hereby convenant with the lessor that the lessee will pay to the lessor the yearly rent hereinbefore reserved or at such revised rent as the case may be.

EQTN

Great.

Now, add some citations &amp; take this to Supreme Court.

DrMrJekyll

You will get a constructive discussion if you tone down your accusatory language. I think this is an important topic to discuss. If South Indian states cannot treat each other fairly and cannot resolve issues, then what's the point of Dravidian identity?

Slow-Bath290



1. Natural resources like water are not the property of the region where the origin point is. The UN has clear guidelines when countries share rivers. So no one is stealing your water. In fact, the existence of the dam keeps the water in your state which otherwise it wouldn't.

2. The proposed new dam wouldn't be a problem if the state ensures the same amount of TMC allocated to TN. But Kerala govt refuses this citing that old TMC allocation will be null and void with the demolition of old dam, which obviously will be a problem for TN.

Please do read the details and arguments from both sides before using words like 'stealing'

Ramkee

Spiritual_Desk_6319

I think this is a rage bait post or op is a wannabe edgelord not ready for a constructive conservation

ded_nat_313

You are not going to get any reasonable conversation or discussion going on here with that racist and abusive post of yours, and I am a malayali btw. 

All this thread will result in racial abuses between the 2 groups.

prawesome97

Real asf man and also the reason for hate against Kerala is mainly due to tamils too , these annachis be doing anything dumb and dumb northies be blaming Kerala , like you can literally see it , they remove some language shit. , ppl be commenting Kerala saar literacy saar, fk

You dump untreated waste into the Periyar River and pollute Tamil Nadu’s land. Your Kochi port expansion destroys our Kanyakumari hills, and we provide over 50% of your food and 90% of your raw materials. You destroy our environment and still point fingers at us when we defend our legal rights.

Helpful_Fish4156

This happened in North. Punjab water stolen by Rajasthan.

LoyalKopite

Kerala has lost countless lives to floods in the past decade. And yet, you’re here crying about water? Fact is, Kerala doesn’t depend on Mullaperiyar for its water needs. In reality, we’re doing you a favour by diverting it. Stop thinking like a brain-dead clown and get your facts straight.

WonderfulBroccoli735

Stop coming to coimbatore and stealing our jobs first.

JSA790

Wannabe..if you wanna be racist, take back all your folks from chennai and coimbatore back to mallu land

rogoZzzz

Kerala build new dam and give the control to Tamil Nadu for the reminder of the lease time. 

The contract is not broken and we have a safe dam.

The dam's strength, stability and safety factors have been tested by experts and have been found to be safe. The only reason Kerala govt keeps repeating the dam safety is, kerala doesn't have control of the damn and due to a British era agreement TN controls the dam for the next 900+ years.

Now, as a pragmatic person I believe all interstate rivers/dams/canals must be controlled by a constitutionally empowered autonomous body (like election commission). But since that has not happened, status quo is the option. There isn't much Kerala can do legally and hence the dam fear theory is fanned to rally support to build another dam.

Kerala is one of the most water abundant state and this dam makes agriculture possible all 12 months in the parched regions of South TN. Water security for this region is Food security for people across states. Hence TN is fighting tooth and nail to retain control. IMO kerala has nothing to loose in status quo and TN has a lot to loose if there is any changes in status quo.

RealityCheck18

You guys dont know the constant anxiety that we have to live in….try to think of it from our side too…as a person who has soo much to lose if the dam breaks why cant we come to a negotiation…like let us rebuild or do something to the dam…you get the rights…we get the safety

cosmicslater

Mullaiperiyar dam is not that big compared other dams in Kerala, the politicians there use mullaiperiyar as a sentiment to conunter the flood problems arises every year, where as there are other big ones which have been causing flood in the state.

vignesh_vk

Kerala have 44 rivers and lots of water. They should build a brand new dam and give water to tamilnadu instead of wasting it to arabian sea.
If mullapperiyaar dam broken due to any reasons TN can't make a peaceful deal with Kerala and they don't get any water from them in future.

I would like to say this to everyone please keep it civil.

With that said.

If the damn dam breaks my Tamil friends where will you get more water from for the districts of Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, Dindigul and Ramanathapuram?

After researching the topic for hours and reading various government institutional documentation on the subject the dam in their purview definitely needs to be rebuilt.

A good source of information exists on expert-eyes.org/index.html look for Mullaperiyar and Dam Safety. This site has some documentation from the IIT Roorkee report. The site also has the documentation from the Empowered Committee. 

Also there's an interesting pre feasibility report issued in August 2018 by the Government of Kerala on a potential solution for a new dam. Google "pre feasibility report mullaperiyar" you should see a pdf from environmentclearance.nic.in its a 46 pg report.

This is a 126 year old dam. The government of Kerala has stated that if a new dam is built Tamil Nadu will definitely recieve all its water share since the pipes which divert the water to the Vagai basin is implemented after the old or new dam.

sambar101

You want to know why ?? Because its difficult to trust anyone in this day and age. TN Govt is afraid if Kerala Govt ever builds a new dam as this would give Kerala Govt plenty of options to legally break the agreement because Karnataka been doing this for ages. There were times when Karnataka Govt purposely tried to release lesser water than the legally agreed quantity and to settle this matter in court takes plenty of time. 

The Karnataka Govt may or may not have a solid reason to do so but at the end, this proves that no one can be trusted and people don't care about other states. Mineral rich states like Assam and Jharkhand are not prospering because of central govt's move. And no one from other states seem to care for this situation right ? Its a dog eat dog world and that's why TN govt is being hesitant on Kerala's suggestion. Kerala govt cant accept TN having full autonomy in controlling the dam and so do majority of Keralites. Its not like TN govt is trying to show their superiority in this matter but its just that we really need water so bad while Kerala has abundance of it.

I personally believe that dams are not built to last forever. The only option for Kerala and Tamil Nadu is to work together without having any ulterior motives. A new agreement that favors both parties will be the solution. But politicians are cunning fucks and pretty much negotiates like a mob boss and therefore an amicable agreement impossible. 

Coming to an amicable agreement and to fully honor and respect the agreement is the only solution. This is my stand. Thanks for bringing this issue up since it useless to trust politicians from both ends. We should not just stop with discussions in reddit or any social media alone. Awareness need to be created so that more people will talk about this matter.........The sooner the better..... Because if anything ever happens, blame the politicians ....not the people.

Amicable decision is possible under current political scenario. So instead of wasting time in hashtags like decommission mullai Periyar. Kerala should table a proper proposal to the current TN govt.

Edijose45

Empathy cannot be taught.  


I will be prepared with a life jacket.Peace.

Buck-Boost

It won't break. It won't be disaster even if all the water is let out. 

If Mullaperiyar would break then everything that the British built would have broken which isn't the case. All these years the dam had withstood nature and Tamil Nadu Government is not a total idiot to not inspect and properly maintain something which makes the lives of it's people better.

IF(a big if) by lack of oversight the dam fails then the immediate losses would be suffered by people on either side of the state border. Dam on a river doesn't mean all the water will take that course. Topography matters too, at that altitude water may flood parts of Tamil Nadu too as we do not know how water will behave. Plains in Tamil Nadu are just a few kilo meters from the dam site. I think if someone professional can simulate the possible water flooding using the terrain then this matter wouldn't induce so much paranoia among some people. 

And in the longer term a broken dam means no more dams in Kerala for Tamil Nadu which would cause more trouble to the Government here. They cannot allow another dam to be built because the agreement is for a existing structure and that agreement cannot be altered because the dam was particularly made for the benefit for the people of Madura and Ramnad districts by a foreign ruler who gave unassailable rights to it's functioning. Like why would someone give up something given by their ancestors if they are not total nuts. 

If you need to have further clarity then the first thing to do is to find someone professional enough to simulate a flooding based on the terrain. IMO even if such a flooding occurs it wouldn't be disaster that is being made.

Mullamandri

During the state partition Idukki district was lost to Kerala and now we are being blamed for what we lost. If Kerala is too righteous why build a reservoir in Idukki. Yes Kerala can build a new dam as they wish but the shutter authority must be vested to Tamizh Nadu as per the agreement pertaining to 900 year lease.

Paegan_Velir

It looks like no body understands the true damage this monster of a dam can cause until the day it actually fails. And that day the bloody 999 year contract will go down the drain along with countless lives and livelihood of people in its way. Instead of looking at Kerala vs Tamil Nadu, why cant the politicians see that we're all humans, just divided by borders. It's not a question of if, but when. 

With politicians, money talks &amp; bullshit walks.

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The Supreme Court is addressing a petition regarding the decommissioning of the Mullaperiyar Dam due to safety risks, with potentially critical implications for millions living downstream.

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