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Tamil Nadu has accused Kerala in the Supreme Court of “crying foul” about the safety of the over 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam while at the same time “wilfully obstructing” work essential to maintain the structure.
“The State of Kerala on one hand raises the issue of comprehensive dam safety review, but on the other hand is obstructing in granting permissions and approvals for conveying materials and machinery to enable Tamil Nadu from completing the remaining strengthening works,” the Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department said in an application.
It contended that Kerala has managed to delay even routine annual maintenance works, including painting, patch works, and repair to staff quarters for two months to more than a year.
The State said the reconstituted supervisory committee, despite being endowed with powers under the Dam Safety Act, 2021, had miserably failed to ensure that Kerala and its instrumentalities permit and facilitate strengthening and other related works.
Tamil Nadu has sought the court to direct Kerala to allow Tamil Nadu to conduct the remaining works.
Mullaperiyar dam
Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River of Idukki district of Indian state of Kerala.
It is located 881 m above the sea level, on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in Thekkady, Idukki District of Kerala, India.
It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick and also reached in an agreement to divert water eastwards to the Madras Presidency area (present-day Tamil Nadu).
Mullaperiyar dam
The Periyar National Park in Thekkady is located around the dam's reservoir.
The dam is built at the confluence of Mullayar and Periyar rivers
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