Tamil Nadu's lifeline - historic Mullaperiyar dam turns 125

The Mullaperiyar dam in Idukki district has completed 125 years on Saturday as the dam was commissioned by erstwhile Madras Presidency's governor on October 10, 1895. A lifeline of five districts of Southern Tamil Nadu, the dam has turned a subject of controversy between Tamil Nadu and Kerala after the latter raised safety concerns over the dam level as the neighbouring states have been embroiled in a bitter legal battle for more than three decades.

Idukki: The historical and controversial Mullapperiyar dam in Idukki District of Kerala has turned 125 years old on Saturday, the tenth of October. The dam, which was constructed mainly to divert the excess water from Periyar and Mullai rivers in Kerala to the water-scarce districts in Tamil Nadu, was commissioned by the then Madras Governor on October 10, 1895.

As per the water-sharing agreement between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, the pact holds valid for another 874 years. However, the Mullapperiyar dam, which has led to controversial rows between the States many a time earlier and continues to be a matter of contention, has been increasing pressure on Kerala with safety concerns.

River Periyar, which originates in Chokkampetti in Sivagiri Hills, flows through 48 kilometres and joins at Manalar with River Mullayar, which flows down from Kottamala. From here, the two rivers flow together and is named River Mullapperiyar.

It is across this river that the historical Mullapperiyar Dam has been built more than a century ago. In 1882, a revised plan and proposal (the earlier proposals were rejected owing to safety and viability concerns) was submitted by the Scottish Major John Pennycuick and R Smith.

In 1884, discussions began with the Princely State of Travancore, finally leading to an agreement in 1886. The agreement allowed Madras Province to build a dam across River Periyar. The agreement is for a total of 999 years, as against the usual 99 years.

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It was also specifically mentioned in the pact that the Madras administration will not have any possession of the land. As directed by the then Travancore ruler, Vishakham Thirunaal Ramavarma, 8000 acres of land situated 155 feet above the river and another 100 acres of land for the dam construction was leased out.

As per the lease agreement, a lease fee of Rs 5 per acre was fixed to be paid to the Travancore State annually. The masonry dam's construction began in 1887. As per the design plan, the dam at a length of 1200 feet length and a base width of 115.75 feet was to reach 8 feets width on the top.

A surkhi (lime) mixture, made of jaggery, sugarcane juice, lime, and egg white, was used to hold the black granite stones together in the foundation. In 1895, the dam’s works were complete.

The water from Mullapperiyar dam flows to Tamil Nadu through a 2 kilometres long tunnel in Thekkadi, almost 14 kilometres away from Mullapperiyar. This water is used to irrigate Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Ramnad and Sivaganga districts of Tamil Nadu.

Mullapperiyar water is used for drinking purposes and also to generate electricity in these districts of Tamil Nadu. Initially, the water was being stored by digging large ponds. In 1959, another dam was built across River Vaigai in Tamil Nadu to store the water from Mullapperiyar.

Presently, the water from Mullapperiyar is being stored in this dam and is then released, as and when required, to the different districts in the region. The controversies and rows between Tamil Nadu and Kerala began when a dangerous level of the leak was first spotted on the dam in 1979.

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The then MLA of Peerumedu, C A Kurian, took to a hunger strike in Vandi Periyar demanding to renovate the dam. Following this, on 1979 November 25, the members of the Central Water Commission inspected the dam. The commission directed to reduce the water level to 136 feet and also to take short term and long term measures to reinforce the structure.

Based on this direction, along with the reinforcement works, the number of spillways on the dam was increased from 10 to 13. On the completion of the strengthening works, Tamil Nadu came up with a demand to raise the water level to the earlier 152.

As Kerala denied this demand by Tamil Nadu, citing safety reasons, the argument reached the Court. The case was initially with the High Courts of the respective States, separately.

Later, Tamil Nadu moved the Apex Court seeking to transfer all the cases pertaining to the dam to the Supreme Court. With this plea, the SC got involved in the matter. The SC is yet to consider Tamil Nadu’s plea seeking to remove Kerala Police from the responsibility of the security of the dam and to depute the Central forces.

The slogan, security for Kerala and water for Tamil Nadu, still resonates strongly and holds right even today, as the dam turns 125 years old.