Mullaperiyar Dam – Relocation, State Boundaries, and Water Politics

Introduction

Mullaperiyar Dam serves as an important water resource for the southern districts of Tamil Nadu. Although the dam is located within the territorial boundary of Kerala, the water usage rights belong to Tamil Nadu. Due to this arrangement, a long-standing dispute over water resources and administration has existed between the two states. This issue is closely related to India's linguistic reorganization of states, shifted state boundaries, and inter-state water resource management, involving important political and administrative dimensions.

1. History of Mullaperiyar Dam

The Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed in 1895 during the British colonial period. It was built by Colonel John Pennycuick. The dam is located in Idukki district of present-day Kerala. Water from the dam is used for irrigation and drinking purposes in the Tamil Nadu districts of Madurai, Theni, Sivagangai, and Ramanathapuram. The project is an example of inter-basin water transfer, where water from the Periyar River is diverted from west to east.

2. The 1886 Agreement

A key agreement related to the Mullaperiyar Dam was signed in 1886. It was a 999-year lease agreement. The agreement was made between the Madras Presidency (present-day Tamil Nadu) and the Kingdom of Travancore (present-day Kerala). According to this agreement, Tamil Nadu obtained the rights to manage the dam and utilize its water.

3. Linguistic Reorganisation of States

In 1956, the States Reorganisation Act reorganized Indian states based on language. As a result, the state of Kerala was formed. During this process, some regions inhabited by Tamil-speaking people were transferred to other states due to boundary changes. Important regions included Devikulam and Peermade. Because these regions were merged with Kerala, the Mullaperiyar Dam came under Kerala’s territorial boundary.

4. Major Issue – Water Level

The major dispute between Tamil Nadu and Kerala regarding the Mullaperiyar Dam concerns the height of the water level in the dam. Tamil Nadu insists that the water level should be raised to 152 feet. Kerala opposes this due to concerns about the safety of the dam. This disagreement has developed into a long-standing inter-state water dispute.

5. Supreme Court Judgment

In 2014, the Supreme Court of India delivered an important judgment regarding the Mullaperiyar Dam. The Court ruled that the dam is structurally safe. It also permitted the water level to be raised up to 142 feet. Furthermore, the Court allowed Tamil Nadu to carry out maintenance and strengthening works on the dam. As part of the ruling, a Mullaperiyar Supervisory Committee was established.

6. Inter-State Water Disputes – Indian Context

The Mullaperiyar issue is often compared with other inter-state water disputes in India. Major examples include the Cauvery River dispute – Tamil Nadu vs Karnataka, the Krishna River dispute – Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Maharashtra, and the Narmada River dispute – Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. To resolve such disputes, the Indian Constitution provides Article 262 – Inter-State River Water Disputes and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956.

7. Federalism and Inter-State Relations

The Mullaperiyar dispute highlights an important aspect of Indian federalism. While states possess their own administrative powers, there is also a need to share and manage natural resources collectively. Therefore, legal mechanisms, court judgments, and negotiations play a crucial role in resolving such disputes.

Conclusion / Way Forward

The Mullaperiyar Dam issue reveals the complex nature of water politics, state boundaries, and federal relations in India. Hence, both states must work toward a long-term solution through scientific studies, judicial decisions, and mutual negotiations. Such efforts can ensure agricultural sustainability, drinking water security, and harmonious relations between the states.