NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has indicated that it will order a safety audit of the 130-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam. The Supreme Court's move is expected as the Center continues to be indifferent to Kerala's constant demand for a new dam at Mullaperiyar. A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Dipankar Datta, and Ujjal Bhuyan ordered a notice to be sent to the central government.
The court said it can direct the central government to form an expert committee for security checks. A National Committee on Dam Safety contemplated under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, is yet to be constituted. The Dam Safety Act also required a provision for a supervisory committee based on the Supreme Court's 2014 judgment in relation to Mullaperiyar. That also has not happened.
Further action will be taken after knowing the central position. The court also sought the assistance of Attorney General R Venkataramani in the matter. The Attorney General should inform the position and instructions of the National Dam Safety Authority.
A petition filed by five Malayali lawyers including Adv Mathews J Nedumbara citing concerns over dam safety was considered. The case will be considered again on the 22nd of this month.
The new petition came when another bench of the Supreme Court decided to hear the issue of whether the lease agreement of 1886 would stand.
Earlier verdict of 'safe' should be withdrawn
Last inspection in 2011
The safety inspection of the dam was agreed in the meeting of the supervisory committee last September. The decision was to check the structural safety, earthquake and flood resistance capacity and operational safety of the dam. It is scheduled to be completed within 12 months. However, the procedure has not started. The empowered committee appointed by the Supreme Court in 2011 was the last to inspect the dam.