The DMK government, which frequently advocates for the protection of Tamil Nadu’s rights from the Central Government, now appears to have conceded some of those rights to Kerala. Amid escalating political tensions over claims that Kerala is obstructing Tamil Nadu’s maintenance work at the Mullaiperiyar Dam, K. Manivasan, Additional Chief Secretary of Tamil Nadu’s Water Resources Department (WRD), announced on December 13, 2024, that Tamil Nadu will proceed with the maintenance under conditions set by Kerala.
One key condition requires that Kerala’s Executive Engineer from the Minor Irrigation Department oversee the maintenance operations. “Our main priority is to complete the dam’s maintenance work. However, we will consult legal experts before deciding on our next course of action,” Manivasan stated in a report.
Earlier in the day, Theni Collector R.V. Shajeevana confirmed that the Kerala Forest Department had granted permission for Tamil Nadu’s Public Works Department (PWD) vehicles to transport materials and equipment for the maintenance work at the dam.
In the Tamil Nadu Assembly, Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan had earlier disclosed that discussions would be held with Kerala regarding the dam’s upkeep.
Back on 7 May, Tamil Nadu’s PWD submitted a comprehensive proposal outlining 13 types of maintenance work for both the Mullaiperiyar main dam and the baby dam. Engineers from Tamil Nadu had written to Kerala and also met with their counterparts to emphasize the importance of the planned work. Additionally, engineers from Kerala had visited the site six months ago. The maintenance was initially slated for completion before the onset of the northeast monsoon but was delayed due to the lack of approval from Kerala.
On 4 December, two Tamil Nadu PWD trucks carrying sand were blocked by the Kerala Forest Department at the Vallakadavu check post in the Periyar Tiger Reserve area. The trucks were forced to return to Tamil Nadu after being stalled for four days without the required clearance.
Sources revealed that on 14 December 2024, Levins Babu Cottur, Kerala’s Executive Engineer for Mullaiperiyar, sent a letter to the Deputy Director of the Periyar Tiger Reserve outlining the conditions under which Tamil Nadu could proceed with the work. This letter was also forwarded to Tamil Nadu officials.
Ranjithkumar, a representative of the Tamil Nadu Farmers’ Association, strongly criticized Kerala’s actions, calling the conditions “unprecedented.” He argued that it was improper for Kerala’s Minor Irrigation Department to impose restrictions on Tamil Nadu’s PWD, claiming this was contrary to a Supreme Court ruling. “Kerala is gradually undermining Tamil Nadu’s authority over the maintenance of the Mullaiperiyar Dam,” he said. “If Tamil Nadu accepts these conditions, Kerala could use this as a legal precedent to approach the Supreme Court and secure a favorable decision.”
(With Inputs From TNIE)
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