Mullaperiyar Dam- Historical Background and Purposes

Posted Date: 03-Dec-2011	Category: General	Rating:
Author: Prashob	Member Level: Gold	Points: 20 (Rs 20)

Mullaperiyar dam issue is the most talking news in Kerala. The concern of the safety measures of the dam getting a wide importance nowadays. Here read about the historical background and purpose of the Mullaperiyar dam.

Mullaperiyar dam is constructed over the Periyar river in Kerala. The construction of the dam began in 1887 and was opened in 1895. The dam is fully located in Kerala state. But it is operated by the Tamil Nadu government, based on an agreement (999 lease agreement) prepared during the British period. The controversies of the Mullaperiyar dam issue continues and the main tragedy is that the life of many human are in danger.

History of Mullaperiyar dam

Mullaperiyar dam is constructed over the Periyar river in Idukki district of Kerala. Mullaperiyar is a masonry gravity dam made with lime stone and surkhi. The construction of the dam was started in 1887 and it was opened in 1895 after construction. The Mullaperiyar dam has the height of 53.6 meter and length of 365.7 meter. The idea of the dam was according to the 999 years of lease agreement between the Travancore Maharaja Vishakam Thirunal and Secretary of state for India for Periyar irrigation works. The 999 lease agreement was signed by Dewan of Travancore V. Ram Iyengar and J. C. Hannigton, the state secretary of Madras state under the British rule. According to the agreement the Mullaperiyar dam is operated by the Tamil Nadu government, even the dam is fully located in Kerala. In the year 1970 the renewal of the agreement allows Tamil Nadu to generate power from the Mullaperiyar dam water. After the independence while the partition of the states the controversies also originate. Now the troubles and controversies in the peak stage because the damage of the dam affects the life of human life and the flora and fauna of the Periyar National park. After an earth quake occurs in 1979 Kerala government raised some safety concerns. The earthquake results cracks and leaks in the Mullaperiyar dam. The 116 years old dam's will wash out the thickly populated region under the dam if a tragedy occurs.

Purpose of Mullaperiyar dam

The Periyar river naturally flows to westward towards the Arabian sea. By the construction of Mullaperiyar dam the Periyar river water could diverted eastward to flow towards the Bay of Bengal. This deviation helps to get a great supply of water to the Madurai region of Tamil nadu. Other than irrigation Tamil Nadu generate hydro electric power from the Mullaperiyar water.
Kerala does not has any objection in giving water to Tamil Nadu. The only concern of Kerala government and public people is about safety of human life and the regional disaster; it also affects the Periyar national park. It is not fair to increasing the storage level because the Mullaperiyar dam has the old of 116 years. Tamil Nadu wants to increase the water level to 142 feet that is 43 meter.

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