Historic Shift: TVK’s fresh approach signals potential end to Kerala-Tamil Nadu Mullaperiyar standoff

KOCHI: A fresh proposal floated by Jagannatha Mishra, a ruling party MLA from Tamil Nadu, could pave the way for a pragmatic resolution to the decades-long Mullaperiyar dam dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

The TVK MLA’s proposal suggests that Tamil Nadu draw the entirety of the dam's water resources continuously. If implemented, this mechanism would eliminate the current practice of maintaining the reservoir at peak capacity—a shift that aligns closely with Kerala’s long-standing demand to keep water levels in check due to safety concerns.

"The entire volume of water in the dam rightfully belongs to Tamil Nadu. No one should inject politics into this issue to incite discord between the people of our two states," the Cumbum MLA stated. "During the monsoon, excess water regularly overflows into the Arabian Sea once the dam exceeds its capacity. This wastage occurs roughly five times a year on average. I have already discussed these matters with Chief Minister Vijay."

Kerala’s historical position has consistently favoured Tamil Nadu utilising the maximum amount of water available. However, since the dispute intensified in 1995, successive DMK and AIADMK governments in Tamil Nadu have maintained a rigid stance, insisting on keeping the reservoir full and drawing water only as needed. Conversely, citing the structural vulnerability of the ageing dam, Kerala has repeatedly petitioned to lower the maximum storage capacity to 120 feet.

The geopolitical landscape of the dispute shifted significantly during the recent Tamil Nadu elections, where the Mullaperiyar dam and the Mangaladevi temple emerged as central campaign issues across the southern districts of Theni, Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul, and Sivaganga.

The TVK secured victories in 16 of the 29 constituencies across these five districts, binding the party to its campaign pledges. Observers note that the Cumbum MLA’s recent intervention is a direct response to this electoral mandate.

Legal and historical precedents suggest that dialogue remains the most viable route. According to the original 1886 lease agreement, any dispute between the signatory parties must be resolved through arbitration. This approach has a successful historical precedent: in 1942, during the tenure of Sir C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer as the Diwan of Travancore, a similar deadlock was effectively resolved via arbitration.