Mullaperiyar - Timeline of important Official steps

Posted Date: 02-Dec-2011	Category: General	Rating:
Author: Nikhil Rajagopalan	Member Level: Gold	Points: 25 (Rs 25)

Here, a timeline of the important legal steps in the Mullaperiyar issue is given. The debates on Mullaperiyar is reaching fever pitch. It was started in 1970 when the anxiety over the safety of dam was raised. Read the article below to know the details.

The timeline of important steps taken in the government level is given here. The details are taken from the official site of Ministry of Water Resources.

Timeline

1886 October 29 : Maharaja of Travancore and Secretary of State for India sign a lease agreement of 999 years for Periyar irrigation works.

1887-1895 : The construction of Mullaperiyar across the Periyar River with full reservoir level of 152 ft. The water is diverted from the reservoir through a tunnel to Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation benefits in 68558 hectres.

1970 : Another agreement permits Tamil Nadu to generate power from the dam.

1979 : Reports appear in Kerala news papers on the safety of Mulla Periyar Dam.
Discussions regarding strengthening of Mullaperiyar dam.
The water level gets reduced to 136 ft.

1986 : A Memorandum on the Rehabilitation of Mulla Periyar Dam by CWC is forwarded to Tamil Nadu.
The safty measures are implemented.
The two states starts legal battle.

2000 : Numerous petitions are filed in the Kerala and Tamil Nadu High Courts. The courts transfer the cases to the Supreme Court.
May 19 : As per the direction of Supreme Court, The Central Minister of Water Resources convenes an interstate meeting. As a result, an expert panel with representatives from both states is instituted in June 2000 to study the safety of the dam.

2001 March : The Committee submits its report. It suggests that the water level can be raised from 136 ft to 142 ft as the safety measures are taken. The report is sent to Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments.

2006 February 27 : Supreme Court verdict in a writ permits the Government of Tamil Nadu to raise the water level of Mulla Periyar dam from 136 ft to 142 ft and implement the remaining safety measures.
Kerala Government passes the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act 2006 and receives the assent of the Governor on 18 March 2006. The act prohibited the raising of water level beyond 136 ft in the Mullaperiyar Dam and it was placed under the Schedule of 'Endangered Dams'.
November 29 : The Union Minister of Water Resources convenes a meeting of the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu & Kerala on Mullaperiyar dam issue at New Delhi. Kerala and Tamil Nadu stick on their stands and no concensus was reached.

2007 : The Central Water Commission suggests a nine member Committee headed by a Chief Engineer from CWC with representatives from both states to monitor the seepage of Mullaperiyar Dam. Kerala and Tamil Nadu governments express their disagreement with the suggession.

2009 May : Kerala constitutes a Committee for study on Mullaperiyar and it submits its report in June, 2009. The Committee suggested mapping of the underwater area, installation of highly sensitive computer operated Seismograph and construction of a new Dam downstream of existing dam. They also opines that the dam's condition has deteriorated very much and no rectification work could can revive its strength.
July 31 : In a meeting, attended by Principal Secretary, PWD, Tamil Nadu and Additional Chief Secretary, WRD, Kerala with others, Kerala opines that a new dam is the only solution for the issue.

2010 February 18 : The Supreme Court orders the Central Govt. to constitute a Committee to hear the opinions of different sides on the issues and submit a report within six months.

2010 February 18 : The Supreme Court orders the Central Govt. to constitute a Committee to hear the opinions of different sides on the issues and submit a report within six months.
April 30 : The Committee is constituted and starts its functioning.
October 30 : The period of Committee is extended for a further six months.

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