FACTS : What is the Mullaperiyar dam issue?

The flame over the age-old Mullaperiyar dam row has once again reached Parliament’s doorsteps. None of the two conflicting parties — namely governments in Tamil Nadu and Kerala — seem to be in a mood to back off, and the controversy is set to become an additional headache for the already cornered UPA government at the Centre. Rediif.com tries to explain the different contours of the issue.

Where is the Mullaperiyar dam, and when was it constructed?

The Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed by the British during 1887-1895 across Periyar River in the then Travancore state (now Kerala) territory. The dam, with full reservoir level of 152 ft. provides for diversion of water from the reservoir through a tunnel to Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation benefits.

A 999-year lease was made, and accordingly, the Tamil Nadu government has been operating the dam. The Periyar power station in TN produces hydro-electric power from these waters and distributes that electricity in the state.

Who benefited from the dam?

Apart from providing drinking water to the people of Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram, the diverted waters helped irrigate about 80,000 hectares of parched land in these districts.

So what is the problem now?

The dam is one of the oldest dam in service in the world, at 105 years. The average life-span of a well-built and well-designed dam is considered to be 50-60 years by experts. When the British built the dam, they expected its life span to be around 2,000 years.

But didn’t the British build it?

The Mullaperiyar Dam was made using old technology, and not based on the modern parameters for design of dams. In this case, much of the building material used in the construction has been leached out, by wear and tear.

But then again, in 1930s, Tamil Nadu engineers bored 80 holes in the dam and injected 40 tonne of cement solution to plug seepage. Again in 1933, grouting technology was used to strengthen the dam. In 1960, 502 tonne of cement solution was injected. All this was done without any outside prodding.

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