Lok Sabha Question No. 551 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-25
Subject: Strengthening of Mullaperiyar Baby Dam
Ministry: JAL SHAKTI
Asked by: Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

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

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 551

ANSWERED ON 25.07.2024

## STRENGTHENING OF MULLAPERIYAR BABY DAM

## 551. MR. TAMILSELVAN THANGA

Will the Minister of JAL SHAKTI be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  proposed  to  strengthen  the  Mullaperiyar  Baby  Dam  to  enhance  its structural integrity and safety;

(b) if so, the expected timeline for completion of this work;

(c) whether there are any measures being taken to maintain the water level of the Mullaperiyar dam at

152 feet and if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken to address this issue promptly?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR JAL SHAKTI

## ( SHRI RAJ BHUSHAN CHOUDHARY )

(a)  &  (b) Operation  and  maintenance  of  the  Mullaperiyar  Dam  lies  with  the  owner  of  the  dam  i.e. Government of Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, the strengthening measures of the dam has to be carried out by the Govt. of Tamil Nadu.

In 1979, Central Water Commission (CWC) had suggested short term, medium term and long term measures for safety of Mullaperiyar dam. Under long term measures, strengthening of Baby dam was recommended. Further, an expert committee was set up by the Ministry of Water Resources,Government of India in 2000 to study the problem of dam safety in Mullaperiyar dam and raising of the water level in Mullaperiyar  reservoir.  The  committee  in  its  final  report  (March  2001)  apart  from  recommending  to raise the water level to +142 feet, recommended to strengthen the Baby dam and earthen dam and few other works.

The Hon'ble Supreme Court in its judgement dated 27.02.2006, among others directed to raise the water level to 142 ft. and permitted the State of Tamil Nadu to carry out further strengthening measures as suggested by CWC and directed the State of Kerala to cooperate in the matter.

The  Hon'ble  Supreme  Court  in  its  judgement  dated  07.05.2014  too  ordered  to  carry  out  the strengthening measures (as suggested by CWC), as per the judgement of the Hon'ble Supreme Court dated 27.02.2006.

Supervisory Committee on Mullaperiyar Dam was constituted on the direction of Hon'ble Supreme Court as per order dated 07.05.2014 and later on reconstituted in 2022. The matter of strengthening of Baby Dam and Earthen Dam is regularly being deliberated in all its meetings.

(c)  &  (d) The  Hon'ble  Supreme  court  in  its  judgement  dated  27.02.2006  directed  that  after  the completion of strengthening measures (as suggested by CWC and Expert Committee) to the satisfaction of the CWC, independent experts would examine the safety aspects before the water level is permitted to be raised to 152ft. Further, as per the judgement dated 07.05.2014 of Hon'ble Supreme Court,water level is  allowed  to  raise  up  to  142  ft.  and  ultimately  to  152  ft.  after  completion  of  further  strengthening measures on the Mullaperiyar Dam as per its earlier judgement.

At present, the water level could not be raised up to 152 ft. in the dam due to non-completion of balance strengthening measures recommended by CWC and Expert Committee. These works could not get completed due to non-issuance of permission by Government of Kerala.

To provide necessary clearances by Government of Kerala, Supervisory Committee on Mullaperiyar Dam is regularly deliberating the matter of long pending balance strengthening works of dam with both the State Governments in all its meetings.

*****