Lok Sabha Question No. 3913 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-12-12
Subject: Mullaperiyar Dam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Shashi Tharoor

## 3913. DR. SHASHI THAROOR

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Union  Government  is  aware  of  the  issue  of  dam  safety  and  height  of  wate Mullaperiyar Dam that is built on Periyar River in Kerala but is operated by the Governme N adu under a 1886 pact;

(b) if so, the actions being undertaken by the Union Government and State Governments in this

(c) whether the said dam is declared as an endangered dam, risking 3.9 million lives in Ker the details thereof;

( d) whether the Union Government has been requested by the Government of Tamil Nadu to desi an environmental study for a new dam;

(e) if so, whether the Union Government proposes to seek advice from the Supreme Court or Green Tribunal; and

(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI & SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EMPOWERMENT

## (SHRI RATTAN LAL KATARIA )

(a)& (b) As per directions of Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgement dated 07.05.2014, the Minis has  constituted  a  three  member  Supervisory  Committee  with  representative  from  Centra Commission (CWC)  (Chairman of the committee) and one representative each from Kerala and Nadu. The mandate of the committee as laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court, are : -

- (i) The committee shall supervise the restoration of FRL in the Mullaperiyar Dam to the e 142 ft.
- (ii) The  Committee  shall  inspect  the  dam  periodically, more  particularly  immediately  before  the monsoon and during the monsoon and keep close watch on its safety and recommend mea which are necessary.  Such measures shall be carried out by Tamil Nadu.
- (iii)The Committee shall be free to take appropriate steps and issue necessary directions States - Tamil Nadu and Kerala - or any of them if so required for the safety of the Mullaperiy in an emergent situation.  Such directions shall be obeyed by all concerned.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI,

## DEPARTMENT OF WATER RESOURCES, RIVER DEVELOPMENT & GANGA REJUVENATION

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3913

## ANSWERED ON 12 .12 .2019

## MULLAPERIYAR DAM

- (iv) The  Committee  shall  permit  Tamil  Nadu  to  carry  out  further  precautionary  measures  t become necessary upon its periodic inspection of the dam in accordance with the guidel Central Water Commission and Da m Safety Organisation.

So far 12 meetings of the Supervisory Committee have  been held. Further, in compli the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in its Judgement dated 11.01.2018 in the Writ Petition (Civil) No.  878  between  Russel  Joy  ver sus  Union  of  India  &  Others,  Sub - Committee  of  National  Executive Committee  (NEC)  of  National  Disaster  Management  Authority  (NDMA)  under  the  Chairmanship Secretary  (WR,  RD  &  GR)  has  been  formed  to  monitor  the  measures  for  ensuring  high  le preparedn ess to face any disaster in relation to Mullaperiyar Dam. The Committee has held  fo so far and have issued necessary directions to Government of Tamil Nadu and Kerala for safe of Mullaperiyar reservoir and other dam safety related ma tters.

(c)to (f) As per findings of the Empowered Committee constituted by the Hon'ble Supreme Court under the Chairmanship of Justice Dr. A.S. Anand, former Chief Justice of India, the dam is h ydrologically , structurally and seismically safe.  Terms of reference (TOR) for the construction of the new Dam  to  replace  the  existing  old  Mullaperiyar  Dam  in  Idukki  District  of  Kerala  has  been 14.11.2018  by  Ministry  of  Environment,  Forest  &  Cl imate  Change  (MOEF & CC)  for  preparation  of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report/Environmental Management Plan as per the provisio of the EIA Notification, 2006 and its subsequent amendment.  While granting ToR, a conditio mentioned as 'the mutual agreement between Government of Kerala and Tamil Nadu should be submitted before the issue of Environmental Clearance.'

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