Kerala moves Centre for new Mullaperiyar dam, plans to demolish old one

CHENNAI: Kerala govt has moved Union ministry of environment, forest and climate change seeking the terms of reference for the environment impact assessment study for its plan for a new Mullaperiyar dam on its 'territory' and plans to demolish the 'existing dam'. The expert appraisal committee (river valley and hydroelectric projects) of the ministry has listed the proposal in its meeting scheduled on May 28.The dam is owned, operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu govt on a lease.
Kerala govt submitted the proposal in Jan and upon examination, the ministry referred it to the expert appraisal committee on May 14, as per the ministry. In its proposal, Kerala govt said the project falls in the downstream (366m) of the existing dam. "It is a new proposal to construct a new dam which falls downstream (366 m) of the existing Mullaperiyar dam.

The existing dam is very old (128 years old) and for the safety of downstream men, materials and flora-fauna, the proponent is going for new dam construction. The existing dam would be demolished after construction of the new dam. The existing and new proposed dams are falling in the Periyar Tiger Reserve sensitive area," it said.
A pre-feasibility report of the govt accessed by TOI contends that a collapse of the existing dam would trigger cascading failure of the three dams of the Idukki project and would endanger the lives and properties of thousands of people residing in the thickly populated districts of central Kerala. The present arrangement of water diversion to Tamil Nadu would continue to function uninterruptedly during the construction of the new dam and after its commissioning, the report said.
For his part, the chief engineer of irrigation design and research board had justified the proposed site in his letter dated Dec 26, saying it has the advantage of minimum submergence of forest land in the wildlife sanctuary. The preliminary studies revealed the possibility of three alignments, 366m, 622.8m and 749.9m downstream of the existing dam and in the territory of Kerala.
Govt replied in the negative to questions on rehabilitation and resettlement, shifting of water course, road/rail/transmission and water pipeline. On the pending litigations, govt stated: "Case is not regarding the new dam construction. It is about the stability of the old dam."
In a separate note on inter-state issues related to the new dam, the chief engineer on May 7 clarified that Supreme Court had granted permission for conducting an environment impact assessment study and the site for the new dam is not in the leased area. "Since the issue has been accepted by the apex body, it is of the view that mutual consent/amicable solution passed in this regard shall not be insisted upon while applying for environmental clearance." In 2014, Supreme Court ordered that there should be agreement between both states for the construction of a new dam.
Tamilaga Vazhvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan said Union govt should not give clearance to Kerala to conduct any studies to construct a new dam without the consent of Tamil Nadu govt. Supreme Court has found the dam structurally safe and allowed storage of water up to 142ft and even permitted storage up to 152ft after strengthening the baby dam, he said.