Jump to content

Mullaperiyar Dam

Coordinates: 9°31′43″N 77°8′39″E / 9.52861°N 77.14417°E / 9.52861; 77.14417
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Mullaperiyar dam)

Mullaperiyar Dam
Mullaperiyar Dam is located in India
Mullaperiyar Dam
Location of Mullaperiyar Dam in India
Mullaperiyar Dam is located in Kerala
Mullaperiyar Dam
Mullaperiyar Dam (Kerala)
CountryIndia
LocationKerala
Coordinates9°31′43″N 77°8′39″E / 9.52861°N 77.14417°E / 9.52861; 77.14417
StatusOperational
Construction began1887
Opening date10 October 1895[1]
Operator(s)Tamil Nadu
Dam and spillways
Type of damGravity
ImpoundsPeriyar River
Height (foundation)53.66 m (176 ft)[2]
Length365.85 m (1,200 ft) (main)[2]
Width (crest)3.6 m (12 ft)
Width (base)42.2 m (138 ft)[3]
Spillways13[4]
Spillway typeChute
Spillway capacity3,454.62 cubic metres per second (4,518 cu yd/s)[2]
Reservoir
Total capacity443,230,000 m3 (359,332 acre⋅ft) (15.65 tmc ft)
Active capacity299,130,000 m3 (242,509 acre⋅ft)[5] (10.56 tmc ft)
Maximum water depth43.281 m (142 ft)
Power Station
Operator(s)Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited
Commission dateUnit 1:1958
Unit 2: 1959
Unit 3:1959
Unit 4:1965
Turbines3 x 42 MW
1 x 35  MW[6]
Installed capacity161 MW

Mullaperiyar Dam (IPA: [mulːɐpːeɾijɐːr]) is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River of Idukki district of Indian state of Kerala. It is situated 150km south east of Kochi and 200km north east of state capital city of Trivandrum.[2][3] It is located 881 m (2,890 ft) above the sea level, on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in Thekkady, Idukki District of Kerala, India. It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick and also reached in an agreement to divert water eastwards to the Madras Presidency area (present-day Tamil Nadu). It has a height of 53.6 m (176 ft) from the foundation, and a length of 365.7 m (1,200 ft).[2] The Periyar National Park in Thekkady is located around the dam's reservoir. The dam is built at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers. The dam is located in Kerala on the river Periyar,[2][7] but is operated and maintained by the neighbouring state of Tamil Nadu.[2][8][9] Although the Periyar River has a total catchment area of 5398 km2 with 114 km2 downstream from the dam in Tamil Nadu,[10][11] the catchment area of the Mullaperiyar Dam itself lies entirely in Kerala and thus not an inter-State river.[12][13][14] On 21 November 2014, the water level hit 142 feet for first time in 35 years.[15] The reservoir again hit the maximum limit of 142 feet on 15 August 2018, following incessant rains in the state of Kerala. In a 2021 UNU-INWEH report about ageing large dams around the world, Mullaperiyar dam was said to be "situated in a seismically active area with significant structural flaws and poses risk to 3.5 million people if the 100+ years old dam were to fail".[16][17]

Etymology

[edit]

Earlier known as the Periyar Dam as it was basically meant to dam the Periyar river,[18] the present name Mullaperiyar is derived by blending the names of Mullayar River and Periyar River, at the confluence of which the dam is located below.[19]

Purpose

[edit]
View of the dam around 1899

The Periyar river which flows westward of Kerala in to the Arabian Sea was diverted eastwards to flow towards the Bay of Bengal to provide water to the arid rain shadow region of Madurai in Madras Presidency which was in dire need of a greater supply of water than the small Vaigai River could provide.[18] The dam created the Periyar Thekkady reservoir, from which water was diverted eastwards via a tunnel to augment the small flow of the Vaigai River. The Vaigai was dammed by the Vaigai Dam to provide a source for irrigating large tracts around Theni, Dindigul, Madurai, Sivagangai, Ramanathapuram districts. Initially the dam waters were used only for the irrigation of 68,558 ha (169,411 acres).[20]

Currently, the water from the Periyar (Thekkady) Lake created by the dam, is diverted through the water shed cutting and a tunnel to Forebay Dam near Kumily (Iraichalpalam). From the Forebay dam, hydel pipelines carry the water to the Periyar Power Station in Lower Periyaru. This is used for power generation (180 MW capacity) in the Periyar Power Station.[21][22][23] From the Periyar Power Station, the water is let out into Vairavanar river and then to Suruliyar and from Suruliyar to Vaigai Dam.[24]

Design

[edit]
Cross section of Mullaiperiyar dam After the completion of concrete backing by Tamil Nadu PWD

The Mullaperiyar Dam is a gravity dam made with concrete prepared from limestone and "surkhi" (burnt brick powder), and faced with rubble.[25] Gravity dams use their weight and the force of gravity to support the reservoir and remain stable.[3][26] The main dam has a maximum height of 53.6 m (176 ft) and length of 365.7 m (1,200 ft). Its crest is 3.6 m (12 ft) wide while the base has a width of 42.2 m (138 ft). It consists of a main dam, spillway on its left and an auxiliary dam (or "baby dam") to the right. Its reservoir can withhold 443,230,000 m3 (359,332 acre⋅ft) of water, of which 299,130,000 m3 (242,509 acre⋅ft) is active (live) storage.[3][5]

History

[edit]

Feasibility studies

[edit]

The unique idea of harnessing the westward flowing water of the Periyar river and diverting it to the eastward flowing Vaigai river was first explored in 1789 by Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai, a minister of the Ramnad king Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, who gave it up as he found it to be expensive.[27] The location of the dam had first been scouted by Captain J. L. Caldwell, Madras Engineers (abbreviated as M.E.) in 1808 to reconnoitre the feasibility of providing water from the Periyar river to Madurai by a tunnel through the mountains. Caldwell discovered that the excavation needed would be in excess of 100 feet in depth and the project was abandoned with the comment in his report as "decidedly chimerical and unworthy of any further regard".[18]

The first attempt at damming the Periyaar with an earthen dam in 1850 was given up due to demands for higher wages by the labour citing unhealthy living conditions.[26] The proposal was resubmitted a number of times and in 1862, Captain J. G. Ryves, M.E., carried out a study and submitted proposals in 1867 for another earthwork dam, 62 feet high. The matter was debated by the Madras Government and the matter further delayed by the terrible famine of 1876–77. Finally, in 1882, the construction of the dam was approved and Major John Pennycuick, M.E., placed in charge to prepare a revised project and estimate which was approved in 1884 by his superiors.[18]

Lease

[edit]

On 29 October 1886, a lease indenture for 999 years was made between the Maharaja of Travancore Moolam Thirunal Rama Varma, and the British Secretary of State for India for Periyar Irrigation Works. The lease agreement was signed by Dewan of Travancore V Ram Iyengar and State Secretary of Madras State J C Hannington. This lease was made after 24 years negotiation between the Maharaja and the British. The lease indenture granted full right, power and liberty to the Secretary of State for India to construct make and carry out on the leased land and to use exclusively when constructed, made and carried out, all such irrigation works and other works ancillary thereto. The agreement gave 8000 acres of land for the reservoir and another 100 acres to construct the dam. The tax for each acre was 5 per year. The lease provided the British the rights over "all the waters" of the Mullaperiyar and its catchment basin, for an annual rent of 40,000.[28]

In 1947, after Indian Independence, Travancore and Cochin joined the Union of India and on 1 July 1949 were merged to form Travancore-Cochin. On 1 January 1950, Travancore-Cochin was recognised as a state. The Madras Presidency was organised to form Madras State in 1947. On 1 November 1956, the state of Kerala was formed by the States Reorganisation Act. The Kerala state government announced that the earlier agreement which had been signed between British Raj and Travancore agreement was invalid and needed to be renewed.[29]

After several failed attempts to renew the agreement in 1958, 1960, and 1969, the agreement was renewed in 1970 when C Achutha Menon was Kerala Chief Minister. According to the renewed agreement, the tax per acre was increased to 30, and for the electricity generated in Lower Camp using Mullaperiyar water, the charge was 12 per kiloWatt per hour. Tamil Nadu uses the water and the land, and the Tamil Nadu government has been paying to the Kerala government for the past 50 years 2.5 lakhs as tax per year for the whole land and 7.5 lakhs per year as surcharge for the total amount of electricity generated.[28][30] The validity of this agreement is under dispute between the States of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. As of 2013 the matter is pending before a Division Bench of the Supreme Court.[31][32][33][34] The dispute puts into question the power of the federal government of India to make valid orders respecting Indian States, in this case regarding a watershed and dam within one state that is used exclusively in another.[35]

Construction

[edit]
Periyar National Park

In May 1887, construction of the dam began.[19][30] As per "The Military Engineer in India" Vol II by Sandes (1935), the dam was constructed from limestone and "surkhi" (burnt brick powder and a mixture of sugar and calcium oxide )[26] at a cost of 104 lakhs, was 173 feet high and 1241 feet in length along the top and enclosed more than 15 thousand million cubic feet of water.[18] Another source states that the dam was constructed of concrete and gives a figure of 152 feet height of the full water level of the reservoir, with impounding capacity of 10.56 thousand million cubic feet along with a total estimated cost of 84.71 lakh.[18]

The construction involved the use of troops from the 1st and 4th battalions of the Madras Pioneers as well as Portuguese carpenters from Cochin who were employed in the construction of the coffer-dams and other structures.[18] The greatest challenge was the diversion of the river so that lower portions of the great dam could be built. The temporary embankments and coffer-dams used to restrain the river waters were regularly swept away by floods and rains. Due to the coffer dam failures, the British stopped funding the project. Officer Pennycuick raised funds by selling his wife's jewelry to continue the work.[27] In Madurai, Pennycuick's statue has been installed at the state PWD office and his photographs are found adorning walls in peoples homes and shops. In 2002, his great-grandson was honoured in Madurai, a function that was attended by thousands of people.[27]

The dam created a reservoir in a remote gorge of the Periyar river situated 3,000 feet above the sea in dense and malarial jungle, and from the northerly arm of this manmade waterbody, the water flowed first through a deep cutting for about a mile and then through a tunnel, 5704 feet in length and later through another cutting on the other side of the watershed and into a natural ravine and so onto the Vaigai River which has been partly built up for a length of 86 miles, finally discharging 2000 cusecs of water for the arid rain shadow regions of present-day Theni, Dindigul District, Madurai District, Sivaganga District and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu, then under British rule as part of Madras Province (Sandes, 1935).[18]

The Periyar project, as it was then known, was widely considered well into the 20th century as "one of the most extraordinary feats of engineering ever performed by man".[18] A large amount of manual labour was involved and worker mortality from malaria was high. It was claimed that had it not been for "the medicinal effects of the native spirit called arrack, the dam might never have been finished".[18] 483 people died of diseases during the construction of this dam and were buried on-site in a cemetery just north of the dam.

In 2012, it was announced that a memorial dedicated to dam engineer Pennycuick would be erected at the dam site.[36]

Protected area

[edit]

The Periyar National Park in Thekkady, a Protected area of Kerala, is located around the dam's reservoir, the 26 km2 (10 sq mi) Periyar lake. 62 different kinds of mammals have been recorded in Periyar, including many threatened ones. Periyar is a highly protected tiger reserve and hosts 35 tigers above two-years of age as of January 2017 in the reserve.[37][38] Declared an elephant reserve on 2 April 2002,[39] the population of Indian elephants in 2005 was estimated at 1100,[39] however Periyar suffers greatly from poaching of elephant being the worst affected of South Indian sanctuaries.[40]

Other mammals found here include gaur, bison, sambar (horse deer), barking deer, mouse deer, dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose, foxes and leopards. Four species of primates are found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri langur, the common langur, and the bonnet macaque. According to a report by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, the protected area surrounding the dam and reservoir is classified as a biodiversity hot spot.[41]

Dam safety

[edit]

After the 1979 Morvi Dam failure which killed up to 15,000 people,[42] safety concerns of the aging Mullaperiyar dam and alleged leaks and cracks in the structure were raised by the Kerala Government.[43] A study conducted by The Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS), Thiruvananthapuram, had reported that the structure would not withstand an earthquake above magnitude 6 on the Richter scale.[43] The dam was also inspected by the chairman, CWC (Central Water Commission). On the orders of the CWC, the Tamil Nadu government lowered the storage level from 152 feet to 142.2 feet then to 136 feet, conducted safety repairs and strengthened the dam.[20]

Strengthening measures adopted by Tamil Nadu PWD from 1979 with the recommendation of Central Water Commission(CWC) include grouting of the old dam with concrete, guniting the upstream face of dam, cable anchoring of the dam's structure with the foundation throughout its length, RCC(Reinforced Concrete Construction) capping on top of the dam at height above 145 feet, building 10 meter RCC concrete backing structure with 10 feet foundation up to height of 145 feet in downstream face of dam and binding the RCC structure using shear keys and concrete grouting with the old structure and the foundation along the downstream face of dam, building additional drainage galleries in order to measure seepage and additional sluice gates for water evacuation.[44][45]

During a 2011 scanning of the Mullaperiyar dam using a remotely operated vehicle by the Central Soil and Materials Research Station on directions from the Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court, the Kerala Government observer opined that "mistakes in the strengthening works carried out by Tamil Nadu" in 1979 damaged the masonry of the dam.[46]

Current safety concerns relate to several issues. Since the dam was constructed using stone rubble masonry with lime mortar grouting following prevailing 19th-century construction techniques that have now become archaic, seepage and leaks from the dam have caused concern.[47][48] Moreover, the dam is situated in a seismically active zone.[49] An earthquake measuring 4.5 on the Richter scale occurred on 7 June 1988 within 20 km of the dam.[50] Subsequently, several tremors have occurred in the area in recent times. These could be reservoir-induced seismicity, requiring further studies according to experts.[51] A 2009 report by IIT Roorkee stated that the dam "was likely to face damage if an earthquake of the magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale struck its vicinity when the water level is at 136 feet".[52]

Justice A.S. Anand Committee (Empowered Committee)

[edit]

On 18 February 2010, the Supreme Court decided to constitute a five-member empowered committee consisting three judges and two technical experts to inspect and study all the issues of Mullaperiyar Dam and seek a report from it within six months.[53] The Bench in its draft order said Tamil Nadu and Kerala would have the option to nominate a member each, who could be either a retired judge or a technical expert. The five-member committee will be headed by former Chief Justice of India A. S. Anand to go into all issues relating to the dam's safety and the storage level.

The then late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said that immediately after the Supreme Court announced its decision to set up a committee, he had written to Congress president asking the centre to mediate between Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Mullaperiyar issue.[54] However, the then Leader of Opposition i.e., the late Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu J. Jayalalithaa objected to the TN Government move. She said that this would give advantage to Kerala in the issue.[55] Meanwhile, Kerala Water Resources Minister N. K. Premachandran told the state Assembly that the State should have the right of construction, ownership, operation and maintenance of the new dam, while giving water to Tamil Nadu on the basis of a clear cut agreement. He also informed the media that former Supreme Court Judge K. T. Thomas will represent Kerala on the expert panel constituted by Supreme Court.[56]

On 8 March 2010, Tamil Nadu told the Supreme Court that it was not interested in adjudicating the dispute with Kerala before the special "empowered" committee appointed by the apex court for settling the inter-State issue.[57] However, Supreme Court refused to accept Tamil Nadu's request to scrap the decision to form the empowered committee. The Supreme Court also criticized the Union Government on its reluctance in funding the empowered committee.[58]

The Empowered Committee headed by the former Chief Justice of India A.S. Anand, in its findings concluded that the dam is "structurally, hydrologically safe, and Tamil Nadu can raise the water level from 136 to 142 feet after carrying out repairs."[59]

Interstate dispute

[edit]
Mullaperiyar reservoir

The control and safety of the dam and the validity and fairness of the lease agreement have been points of dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu states.[60] Supreme court judgment came on 27 February 2006, allowing Tamil Nadu to raise the level of the dam to 152 ft (46 m) after strengthening it. Responding to it, Mullaperiyar dam was declared an 'endangered' scheduled dam by the Kerala Government under the disputed Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006.[61]

Tamil Nadu has insisted on raising the water level in the dam to 142 feet, pointing out crop failures. However, the court has clarified Tamil Nadu is not a riparian state. "In the process the farmers of the erstwhile rain shadow areas in Tamil Nadu who had started a thrice yearly cropping pattern had to go back to the bi-annual cropping."[62]

The Kerala Government maintains that this is not true. During the year 1979–80 the gross area cultivated in Periyar command area was 171,307 acres (693.25 km2). After the lowering of the level to 136 ft (41 m), the gross irrigated area increased and in 1994–95 it reached 229,718 acres (929.64 km2).[63]

In 2006, the Supreme Court of India by its decision by a three-member division bench, allowed for the storage level to be raised to 142 feet (43 m) pending completion of the proposed strengthening measures, provision of other additional vents and implementation of other suggestions.

However, the Kerala Government promulgated a new "Dam Safety Act" against increasing the storage level of the dam, which has been challenged by Tamil Nadu on various grounds. The Supreme Court issued notice to Kerala to respond, however did not stay the operation of the Act even as an interim measure. The Court then advised the States to settle the matter amicably, and adjourned hearing in order to enable them to do so. The Supreme Court of India termed the act as not unconstitutional.[64] Meanwhile, the Supreme Court constituted a Constitution bench to hear the case considering its wide ramifications.[20]

The Kerala Government states that it does not object to giving water to Tamil Nadu as a shared commodity, their main cause of objection being the dam's safety as it is 126 years old. Increasing the level would add more pressure to be handled by the already leaking dam. They also raised the problematic definition of inter-State river when in its entirety the river goes into the sea within Kerala without passing through any other states. They also raised the complexity of the judgment and disputes that it can raise in other states that have small catchments of other-State rivers and right to claim part of waters.[65]

In May 2014 the Supreme Court of India declared the Kerala Irrigation and Water Conservation (Amendment) Act of 2006 as unconstitutional and struck down the law passed by the Kerala Assembly on the Mullaperiyar Dam that said that the water level cannot be increased beyond 136 feet.[66] The court has ruled that Tamil Nadu can increase the water level to 142 feet and constituted a permanent Supervisory Committee in order to take care of the affairs relating to maintenance of the Mullaperiyar Dam.[67]

Supervisory Committee

[edit]

In 2014 while passing the final verdict, the Supreme Court constituted a permanent Supervisory Committee to oversee all the aspects of the Mullaperiyar dam. The Supervisory Committee consists of three members headed by member from the Central Water Commission of The Water Resource Ministry who will act as the chairman of the Supervisory Committee and two other members from the respective states.[68]

To assist the three member supervisory committee, a five-member sub-supervisory committee was formed comprising two officials from both the respective States and a member from the Central Water Commission acting as the head.[69]

Proposal for construction of a new dam and other proposals

[edit]

In 2014 while passing the final judgement the Supreme Court has laid down criteria for any future construction of new dam downstream and decommissioning of the present Mullaperiyar Dam under the "Way Forward - Towards an amicable solution" or a tunnel solution as suggested by the Empowered Committee (EC).[70][71] The second tunnel can bring down the water level considerably in the dam and it is as good as decommissioning the dam without hindering supply of water to Tamil Nadu.[72]

New dam vs second tunnel

[edit]

The judgement emphasized the suggestion of EC to make a second tunnel at about 50 ft from the bottom so that the large quantity of water, otherwise unused below the current tunnel at 106.5 ft, can be used by Tamil Nadu. It was highlighted that in case the dam develops any distress, this tunnel will help in evacuation of storage faster and better. It was also pointed out that the costs will be meagre compared to building a new dam.[73]

2021 developments

[edit]

The safety of the dam again rose to public attention in 2021 after the flood situation in Kerala since 2018 and the destruction of Rishiganga hydroelectric project & Tapovan dam in Uttarakhand following a glacier burst killing nearly 200 people.[74] A UNU-INWEH report on threats possessed by ageing dams across the world stated that Mullaperiyar dam situated in a seismically active area has major structural flaws and 3.5 million people are at risk if the 100+ years old dam were to fail.[75][16][17] 2 petitions were filed in Supreme Court alleging that the supervisory committee formed as per Supreme Court order in 2014 was not functioning properly for the past 6 years, responding to which the Supreme Court ordered Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu to come out with the rule curve immediately or face action.[76] The Supreme Court, which declared the dam as hydrologically and seismically safe previously in 2014, asked Kerala and Tamil Nadu states to act seriously as 'people's lives are at risk' in a U turn.[77][78]

Tension rose again when Tamil Nadu opened 10 shutters of the dam after midnight without giving proper warning, causing floods along the banks of the Periyar River. It was the 4th time in a month that Tamil Nadu has opened the shutters of the dam after 10 pm. This resulted in Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan sending a letter to his Tamil Nadu counterpart to open shutters of dam only at daytime that too with proper warnings.[79][80]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Mullaperiyar Dam turns 125 | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 10 October 2020. Archived from the original on 7 April 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "National Register for Large Dams" (PDF). India: Central Water Commission. 2009. pp. 194–197. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d Frye, Albert Irvin (1918). Civil engineers' pocket book: a reference-book for engineers, contractors, and students, containing rules, data, methods, formulas and tables (2nd (corrected) ed.). D. Van Nostrand Company. p. 859. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  4. ^ ET Bureau (2 December 2011). "Tamil Nadu tells Supreme Court to restrain Kerala on Mullaiperiyar dam". Economic Times. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Mullaperiyar Environmental Protection Forum v. Union of India (UOI) and Ors" (PDF). Supreme Courth of India. pp. 1–2. Archived (PDF) from the original on 16 December 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  6. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 January 2020. Retrieved 8 April 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. ^ "Medium River Basins Of The Country" (PDF). Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 19 January 2012. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  8. ^ "Tamil Nadu since the state is incontrovertible sole owner of the Mullaperiyar dam and all its appurtenant structures – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa". The Times of India. 9 February 2012. Archived from the original on 6 July 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  9. ^ "Four dams – Mullaperiyar Dam, Parambikulam Dam, Thunakadavu Dam and Peruvaripallam Dam – are owned, operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu whereas they were situated in the territory of Kerala – Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa". Archived from the original on 20 October 2014. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
  10. ^ Water insecurity, institutions, and livelihood dynamics: a study in Plachimada, Kerala, India. India: Centre for Development Studies (Trivandrum, India). 2012. p. 58. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  11. ^ Kaul, Bansi Lal (2012). Advances in Fish and Wildlife Ecology and Biology, Volume 4. India. p. 29. ISBN 978-81-7035-517-5. Archived from the original on 18 September 2023. Retrieved 22 September 2016.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  12. ^ "The Mullaperiyar Conflict" (PDF). India: National Institute of Advanced Studies. 2010. p. 7. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2011. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  13. ^ "No part of Mullaperiyar catchment is in TN: CWRDM Director". The Hindu. India. 2012. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  14. ^ "Dam Break Analysis". India: IIT Roorkee. 2012. pp. 17–22. Archived from the original on 21 September 2013. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
  15. ^ "The Mullaperiyar touches 142 feet". The Times of India. India. 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
  16. ^ a b "Kerala's Mullaperiyar dam is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode". The Scroll. Archived from the original on 20 July 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  17. ^ a b "Ageing dams pose growing threat". United Nations University. Archived from the original on 7 December 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Sandes, Lt Col E.W.C. (1935). The Military Engineer in India, Vol II. Chatham: The Institution of Royal Engineers. pp. 28–29.
  19. ^ a b "Dams in Kerala". Kerala: ENVIS Kerala: Environmental Information System Centre (ENVIS), Kerala. p. 1. Archived from the original on 5 December 2010. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  20. ^ a b c Ministry of Water Resources (2 December 2011). "Mulla Periyar Dam issue". Govt. of India. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  21. ^ "Lower Periyar Hydro Electric Project". Power Advisor. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  22. ^ "KSEB Generation". KSEBL. Archived from the original on 18 January 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  23. ^ "Lower Periyar Power House PH01243". India-WRIS. Archived from the original on 20 April 2018. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  24. ^ Thomas, Mathew A. (1 December 2014). "More Water to Vaigai, Safety for Mullaperiyar Dam". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  25. ^ Pennycuik, John (26 January 1897). "Pennycuik on the Diversion of the Periyar". Minutes of the Proceedings. 128 (Part 2): 140–163. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  26. ^ a b c T, Ramakrishnan (29 October 2011). "A dam steeped in history and controversy". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 1 December 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2011.
  27. ^ a b c "Mullaperiyar dam: An engineering marvel". CNN IBN. 26 November 2011. Archived from the original on 29 November 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  28. ^ a b R. Krishnakumar (11–24 March 2006), "Verdict on Mullaperiyar", the Hindu, Frontline, vol. 23 – Issue 05, Chennai, India, archived from the original on 25 January 2013
  29. ^ Service, Express News (5 August 2024). "Supreme Court to reexamine validity of Mullaperiyar lease deed". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Mulla Periyar Dam issue". New Delhi: Ministry of Water Resources, Government of India. p. 1. Archived from the original on 28 August 2011. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  31. ^ "Mullaperiyar: Centre expresses willingness to act as "facilitator"", the Hindu, 23 November 2011, archived from the original on 27 November 2011, retrieved 25 November 2011
  32. ^ "Mullaperiyar: Ministers to visit Delhi", the Hindu, Chennai, India, 25 November 2011, archived from the original on 28 November 2011, retrieved 25 November 2011
  33. ^ ""Advise Kerala not to build the dam", the Hindu, 24 November 2011". The Hindu. 23 November 2011. Archived from the original on 25 November 2011. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  34. ^ "Enact law declaring dam pact illegal". The Times of India. 30 November 2011. Archived from the original on 3 January 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  35. ^ Suhrith Parthasarathy (12 August 2013). "Water Wars in India's South" (blog "India Ink"). The New York Times. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  36. ^ "Jayalalithaa announces memorial for engineer who built Mullaperiyar dam". NDTV. 8 January 2012. Archived from the original on 9 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  37. ^ "35 tigers at Periyar Tiger Reserve: Survey". Times of India. 6 January 2017. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  38. ^ "Rare moments of Indian tiger family caught on camera trap". Asianet Newsable. Retrieved 16 January 2017.
  39. ^ a b "Note on Project Elephant" (PDF). Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 12 March 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  40. ^ Ramakrishnan, Uma; Santosh, J. A.; Ramakrishnan, Uma; Sukumar, R. (25 January 1998). "The population and conservation status of Asian elephants in the Periyar Tiger Reserve, Southern India" (PDF). Current Science. 74 (2): 110–113. Archived (PDF) from the original on 17 January 2016. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  41. ^ "R1" (PDF). Retrieved 27 November 2011.[permanent dead link]
  42. ^ World Bank. Environment Dept (1991). Environmental assessment sourcebook. World Bank Publications. p. 86. ISBN 978-0-8213-1845-4. Retrieved 10 January 2012.
  43. ^ a b Standard (2011), "Two states and a dam", Business Standard, archived from the original on 12 March 2012, retrieved 9 December 2011
  44. ^ "The case for a new Mullaperiyar dam". The Hindu. 2 January 2012. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  45. ^ "Exclusive: Mullaperiyar dam was strengthened thrice and it's stronger than a new dam, says Justice K.T. Thomas". India Today. 11 May 2014. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  46. ^ Mathew, Roy (7 December 2011), "'Serious damage' to masonry of Mullaperiyar dam detected", The Hindu: 2011, archived from the original on 7 January 2012, retrieved 9 December 2011
  47. ^ "The Hindu, 22 November 2011, 'Tamilnadu seepage data wrong: says Mullaperiyar cell chairman'". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  48. ^ ""Serious damage to masonry of dam detected", the Hindu, 7 Dec 2011". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 January 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2011.
  49. ^ "Singh, H.N., Raghavan, V., & Raju, G.K. (1992). On relation between seismicity and tectonic features of Idukki region, Southwestern India. Geofizika, Vol. 9, 1992, pp. 109–122" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 April 2012. Retrieved 30 November 2011.
  50. ^ Rastogi, B. K.; Chadha, R. K.; Sarma, C. S. P. (1 October 1995). "Investigations of June 7, 1988 earthquake of magnitude 4.5 near Idukki Dam in Southern India". Pure and Applied Geophysics. 145: 109–122. doi:10.1007/BF00879487. ISSN 0033-4553.
  51. ^ ""Call for studies on reservoir-induced seismicity in Idukki", the Hindu, 21 November 2011". The Hindu. 21 November 2011. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011. Retrieved 2 December 2011.
  52. ^ "IIT, Roorkee report on Mullaperiyar says dam not safe", The Times of India, 28 October 2009, archived from the original on 11 August 2011, retrieved 9 December 2011
  53. ^ Venkatesan, J. (17 February 2010). "Supreme Court constitutes empowered committee to go into Mullaperiyar issues". The Hindu. Chennai, India. Archived from the original on 18 March 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  54. ^ "DMK against SC panel on dam". The Times of India. 21 February 2010. Archived from the original on 5 November 2013.
  55. ^ "Jayalalithaa criticises Karunanidhi over Mullaperiyar issue". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 22 February 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  56. ^ "K.T. Thomas to be on Mullaperiyar panel". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 4 March 2010. Archived from the original on 9 March 2010.
  57. ^ "Tamil Nadu not interested in adjudicating Mullaperiyar before panel". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 8 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2013.
  58. ^ "Tamil Nadu plea dismissed, empowered panel on Mullaperiyar will stay". The Hindu. Chennai, India. 30 March 2010. Archived from the original on 3 April 2010.
  59. ^ Venkatesan, J. (25 April 2012). "Mullaperiyar dam structurally & hydrologically safe: Panel". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  60. ^ Roy Mathew (30 November 2011). "State is unprepared for disasters". the Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, India: Kasturi & Sons Ltd. Archived from the original on 2 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  61. ^ The Kerala Irrigation And Water Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2006 Archived 16 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine.
  62. ^ Gopinath, ER (April 2006). "The Mullaperiyaru imbroglio". Hard News. Archived from the original on 13 January 2007. Retrieved 21 June 2021.
  63. ^ Kerala Government's arguments Archived 17 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Expert-eyes.org. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  64. ^ Mullaperiyar: apex court issues notice to Government . The Hindu. 9 September 2006. Retrieved 25 November 2011.
  65. ^ "Mullaperiyar dam row: Clashes at Kerala-Tamil Nadu border post". NDTV. 6 December 2011. Archived from the original on 7 December 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  66. ^ Venkatesan, J. (7 May 2014). "SC allows TN to increase Mullaperiyaru water level". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 May 2014. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
  67. ^ "Kerala demands safety review of Mullaperiyar dam". www.manoramayearbook.in. Retrieved 7 August 2024.
  68. ^ "Centre to decide on supervisory committee for Mullaperiyar dam". 18 June 2014. Archived from the original on 6 February 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  69. ^ "Sub-committee inspects Mullaperiyar dam". The Hindu. 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  70. ^ "India Together: Mullaperiyar: Is the light in the tunnel itself? - 12 June 2014". indiatogether.org. 12 June 2014. Archived from the original on 9 June 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  71. ^ Sundar, S. (21 August 2018). "'TN should go in for second tunnel in Mullaperiyar dam'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  72. ^ "Is Mullaiperiyaru the second tunnel solution?". Dinamani. Archived from the original on 18 January 2022. Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  73. ^ "State Of Tamil Nadu vs State Of Kerala & Anr on 7 May, 2014".
  74. ^ "Uttarakhand's Tapovan dam completely washed off, shows initial survey". NDTV. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  75. ^ "UN report on threat to ageing dams in India mentions Kerala's Mullaperiyar dam". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 9 May 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  76. ^ "Come out with rule curve for Mullaperiyar: SC". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  77. ^ "'Act seriously, people's lives will be at risk', SC raps Kerala and Tamil Nadu on Mullaperiyar dam maximum water level". News 18. Archived from the original on 26 October 2021. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  78. ^ "SC to Kerala, TN on Mullaperiyar dam issue". News Minute. 25 October 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  79. ^ "Idukki residents take out protest march as Tamil Nadu opens Mullaperiyar dam without warning". New Indian Express. Archived from the original on 23 January 2022. Retrieved 18 September 2023.
  80. ^ "Water release from Mullaperiyar dam creates tension between Kerala and Tamil Nadu". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 4 July 2023. Retrieved 18 September 2023.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Achyuthan, A. 2012 [2009]. Mullaperiyar Imbroglio: Inter-State River Problems. Second Edition. Thrissur: Kerala Sasthra Sahithya Parishad.
  • Anilkumar, A.V. (ed.). 2011. Mullaperiyar (Mal.). Kottayam: Papyrus Books.
  • Damodaran, Pradeep. 2014. The Mullaperiyar Water War: The Dam That Divided Two States. New Delhi: Rupa Publications India.
  • George, M.V. 2011. Mullaperiyar Dam: Keralam Neridunna Durantha Bheeshani (Mullaperiyar dam: The Risk of Disaster Faced by Kerala, Mal.). Kottayam: DC Books.
  • Krishnan, J. R., and Ray J. G.,2008. Investigation on the hydrobiology and water quality parameters of Periyar Lake, Thekkady, Western Ghats, Kerala.
  • Mangathil, Sasidharan. 2008. Mullaperiyar Anakkettum Kerlathinte Bhaviyum: Anweshana Rekha (Mullaperiyar Dam and the Future of Kerala: An Enquiry, (Mal.). Kozhikode: Mathrubhumi Books.
  • Pillai, Meena T. 2012. 'The Mullaperiyar Dam: Risking Media, Mediating Risk'. Journal of Creative Communications 7(1–2): 31–52.
  • Pradeep Damodaran 2014. The Mullaperiyar Water War: The Dam that Divided Two States. New Delhi: Rupa Publications India.
  • Thomas, Justice K.T. 2012. Mullaperiyar Dam: Chila Velippeduthalukal (Mullaperiyar Dam: Some Disclosures, Mal.). Kottayam: DC Books.
  • Varughese, Shiju Sam (2017). Contested Knowledge: Science, Media and Democracy in Kerala. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-946912-3.
[edit]