The Supreme Court of India has requested responses from the Central government, as well as the states of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, regarding a petition that calls for a safety audit of the Mullaperiyar Dam and explores the possibility of decommissioning the existing structure. This action follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by the NGO Save Kerala Brigade, which has raised concerns about the dam's structural integrity and potential risks to the lives of millions living downstream.
The PIL cites concerns regarding the dam's structural safety, especially considering climate change, the potential for excessive flooding, and the dam's location in a high-intensity seismic zone. The NGO has requested the court to order the decommissioning of the 130-year-old dam, to direct an expert inspection of the dam, ensure an interim reduction of the water level as a safety measure, and order a detailed safety reassessment.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran acknowledged the need for potential measures to reinforce the existing dam. The court suggested that an expert body should assess the dam's safety and evaluate the feasibility of constructing a new structure. The Supreme Court has now formally issued notices to the concerned parties, including the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), seeking their responses to the issues raised in the PIL.
The Mullaperiyar Dam, constructed in 1895 on the Periyar River in Kerala's Idukki district, has been a contentious issue between Kerala and Tamil Nadu for years. While the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu under a pre-Independence lease agreement. Kerala has consistently voiced concerns about the dam's age, structural stability, and vulnerability to seismic activity. In contrast, Tamil Nadu emphasizes the dam's crucial role in providing irrigation and drinking water to several districts in the state.
The gulf between the states' positions was highlighted in 2022 when Kerala announced plans to construct a new reservoir to replace the existing dam, citing structural problems. Tamil Nadu opposed this move, asserting the dam's importance for water supply. The states have also disagreed on the appropriate water level, with Kerala proposing a reduction to 138 feet and Tamil Nadu seeking to maintain levels at 142 feet, a level that the Supreme Court had previously fixed in 2014.
Advocate V Giri, representing the petitioner, emphasized the potential threat to the lives and property of approximately 10 million people residing downstream, stating that the dam has "long ago exceeded its design life". The court also took note of concerns regarding the near-total loss of lime-surki mortar, which constituted a significant portion of the dam's structure, and the continuous leakages through the foundation.
In January 2025, the Supreme Court had expressed concerns over the Centre's delay in establishing a Dam Safety Authority, despite the enactment of the Dam Safety Act in 2021. The court considered directing a safety audit by an expert panel to address fears surrounding the dam. In February 2025, the Supreme Court directed the newly-constituted panel overseeing the dam's safety to examine the repair and maintenance issues raised by the Tamil Nadu government and submit a report.
The Supreme Court's intervention underscores the urgency and complexity of the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, requiring careful consideration of safety concerns and the water needs of both states. The court will further examine the matter after receiving responses from the Centre, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
