Kerala anxious as Tamil Nadu refuses to budge

Over the years, the Mullaperiyar issue has resurfaced amidst natural calamities and flooding, only to subside once the calamities subside. A solution needs to be found for this sooner or later. This is not a problem that can be postponed forever. There is a limit to how long people can simply hope that nothing unfortunate will happen. For Kerala, this is a matter of life and death. It concerns the safety of around 35 lakh people. For Tamil Nadu, however, the main concern is water. Kerala's long-standing position has been that the issue is about safety for Kerala and water for Tamil Nadu. Kerala has now shown its willingness to make a major compromise while maintaining this basic position.

At the Southern Zonal Council meeting held in Chennai, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan announced that Kerala was ready to bear the entire cost of building a new dam. He also said Tamil Nadu could be given full authority to decide the location and design of the new dam. The Chief Minister further stated that all the water from the new dam could continue to be given to Tamil Nadu. However, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay rejected the proposal. There is a widespread belief among people in four or five districts of Tamil Nadu, who depend on this water, that allowing Kerala to build a new dam could end the existing agreement and affect their water supply in the future. This may be one of the main reasons behind Tamil Nadu's firm stand.

Tamil Nadu's argument, however, is that the existing dam is completely safe and that there is no need for a new one. The dam was completed in 1895 under the leadership of British engineer Major John Pennycuick. At the time of its construction, its lifespan was estimated at 50 years. The dam is now well over a century old. Experts have also acknowledged that there is significant leakage in the dam. Therefore, Kerala's demand for a new dam is reasonable.

Tamil Nadu has not only opposed the construction of a new dam but has also demanded that the water level in the existing dam be raised to 152 feet. From Kerala's perspective, this amounts to putting the lives of its people at risk. The issue involves complex legal questions and is under the consideration of the Supreme Court, the Central Water Commission and other authorities. Therefore, it must be resolved through the proper legal and institutional process. No party should try to turn the issue into a public agitation or use it to provoke protests. Such actions will only make a solution more difficult and allow the dispute to continue. Independent India has resolved even bigger disputes through dialogue and cooperation. The same approach should be followed to find a lasting solution to the Mullaperiyar issue.