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If an earthquake causes the dam to collapse, it can threaten the lives
of 3.5 million people downstream. The issue needs to be looked at as a
national problem, not as a dispute between two states
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India is said to be a country that upholds the slogan "unity in
diversity". We proudly state this to everyone around the world, but
there is a question that we have to ask ourselves -- is it true or is it just
a statement we put forward to hide our failings?
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There's a small example I would like to put forward, the present
Mullaperiyar dam crisis which should by all means seen as a national issue
rather than an issue between two states.
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If we dig deep and go into the history, the Mullaperiyar Dam is a
masonry gravity dam built over the river Periyar in 1895 during the British
colonial rule with a predicted life span of 50 years to divert water
eastwards towards the Madras presidency area (present day Tamil Nadu).
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The diverted water from this dam is used for irrigation in Sivaganga,
Theni, Madurai and Ramanathapuram districts. The Periyar power station in
Tamil Nadu produces hydro-electric power from these waters and distributes
that electricity in Tamil Nadu.
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Now getting into the controversial part,
the catchment areas and river basin downstream includes five major districts
of central Kerala -- Idukki, Ernakulum, Kottayam, Alapuzha and Trissur --
which has a total population of 3.5 million people.
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In 1979, there were few minor earthquakes
experienced in the regions surrounding the dam following which safety
concerns were raised over the dam. Since then, both states Kerala and Tamil
Nadu have been at loggerheads with each other on the issue.
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A state agency had reported that the dam
will not withstand an earthquake above magnitude 6 on the Richter scale.
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Experts from IIT Delhi & Roorkee had mentioned
that the structure will not withstand an earthquake and is under serious
threat. After all these reminders and 32 years of legal battle, both parties
have not reached a consensus on this issue.
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Even after the Kerala government's promise to give
water and construct a new dam undertaking all the expenses, subsequent Tamil
Nadu governments have turned a blind eye towards any suggestions or
negotiations by Kerala.
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The reasons raised
by Tamil Nadu are water scarcity in five districts of Tamil Nadu which will
lead to drought in the region, a valid reason.
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In response to this the Kerala government has promised
to deliver the same amount of water to Tamil Nadu without fail. Here
arises the concern of people living in the downstream of this river.
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If the Mullaperiyar dam collapses, three dams
downstream -- Idukki, Cheruthoni and Kolamavu won't be able to withhold the
incoming water (around 15 TMC) which in turn will break these dams,
resulting in a catastrophe that will put at risk the lives of 3.5
million people.
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A dam which has surpassed its lifespan by more than 66
years poses a threat to the lives of 3.5 million people living in five
districts of Kerala.
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The big question is:
Are the lives of 3.5 million Indians who are living today in anxiety and fear
of a possible wipe out important to this country?
A civilization is under the threat of a wipe-out. Whenever a terror attack or security breach happens in our country, we point fingers at our neighbouring country. But here is a problem that can take the lives of so many innocent Indians, which can be stopped. And what exactly is our political leadership in this country doing? Nothing. |
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There has been no substantial action taken in all these years by
anyone to avoid this catastrophe.
The political parties in Tamil Nadu are no way ready to budge to any
suggestions.
I would like everyone in this country to come forward and demand action as Indians, without the stamp of ethnicity or states attached. |
PROS AND CONS OF THE MULLAPERIYAR
DAM ISSUE.
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Periyar literally means big river( peri-big. Aar-river) this
though name suggests is not Comparable to any big rivers of India not to
mention the big rivers of the world. However periyar by all means the biggest
river of this small state that is Kerala. Starting from the western ghats
downwards to the Arabian sea. There are a lot of hydro electric dams across
this river Idukki Sabarigiri are the Notable ones in size.Mullaperiyar dam is
constructed in the kerala portion in the Tamilnadu Kerala boarder.
Built of lime mortar
hundred a and five years back still serving strong this dam is an
architectural marvel .at present its height is 135’. Mullaperiayar dam is
built store water and release it for the agricultural purpose of Tamilnadu
which is situated in rain shadow region and perpetually faces water shortage.
Naturally Kerala which has practically no use with this dam sees this as an
instrument to rob their water resource.
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Medias
view this situation as an opportunity to the play the role of champion for
the cause of the state. The Leading news papers have started campaigns that
the dam has out lived its life and waiting for it to break it self is
suicidal. If Mullaperiyar collapses the gush of water would be sufficient to
destroy Idukki and sabarigiri both are no.1 and no.2 in size respectively of
the dams in the state of Kerala. The holocaust in described in details of
entire districts of Idukki Kottayam and Ernakulam being swallowed by flood
waters. Chief ministers are forced to fly to Delhi frequently with memorandum
for lessening the height of the Mullaperiyar dam to ensure safety –to play
safe .In Tamilnadu where sentiments fly higher does not lag behind;
Legislative assembly is flooded with calling attention notices and all sorts
of propagandas .
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The central -government
also play their roles safe by appointing comities to see whether the dam is
safe in its present form. the recently appointed in its report has given a
clean chit to the smart dam. Controversy hardly dies down ,The committee
comprised of only one member from Kerala and he was overshadowed the majority
members was the next issue. similarly all the courts see an array of
petitions regarding the Democles’s- sword that is the Poor dam..! Finally the
Supreme Court has certified the safety of the mullaperiyar dam. Tamilnadu
government using the opportunity is all prepared to raise the height of the
dam from the present 135’ to 145’and finally to 152’.
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Those
who sensationalise the issue practically binds the hands of their governments
making it impossible to find a solution. Kerala finds it its right to let
95%of the rain water flow directly in to the sea. Where as Tamilnadu is well
known for its judicial use of its water -resources. The media has to play
vital role in reporting this case with utmost objectivity as dispute with two
neighbouring states can easily flare-up to unmanageable proportions; these
two states are so interlinked that any
misunderstanding can break a relationship that centuries old’ leading to
bloodshed and mutiny. After all publicity and circulation come secondary to
people and their livelihood.
Supreme Court tells Kerala, Tamil Nadu not to arouse people’s
feelings
There is nothing
serious, grave or emergent about the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam
warranting our interference at this stage, the Supreme Court observed on
13.12.2011 and asked Tamil Nadu and Kerala not to arouse people’s feelings
and create a fear psychosis.
The Empowered
Committee, headed by the former Chief Justice of India, A.S. Anand, was
looking into all aspects regarding the safety of the dam and no order was
required at this stage, observed a five-judge Constitution Bench comprising
Justices D.K. Jain, R.M. Lodha, C.K. Prasad, Deepak Verma and Anil R. Dave.
The Bench,
however, said the apprehensions of Kerala regarding the safety of the dam
could not be brushed aside since the water level in the dam had gone up
beyond 136 ft on four days from November 26 to December 2, coupled with
earthquakes.
The Bench made
it clear to Tamil Nadu that it should maintain the water level at 136 ft.
The Bench was
hearing applications filed by Kerala, to reduce the water level in the dam
from 136 ft to 120 ft, and Tamil Nadu for deployment of CISF for protection
of the dam and to pass an order to restrain Kerala Ministers and officials
from making statements creating fear psychosis among the people about the
safety of the dam.
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Kalam
favours armed forces for maintaining rivers, dams
Amid the friction between Tamil
Nadu and Kerala over the Mullaperiyar dam issue, former President A P J Abdul
Kalam on 14.12.2011 said the country cannot afford a civil war on water and
suggested deployment of armed forces to maintain rivers and dams. “Water
cannot be a (source of) conflict in India. India cannot afford a civil war on
water… Indian rivers and dams have to be operated and maintained by army,
navy or other armed forces for equitable distribution,” he said.
Mr. Kalam said chief ministers of
Tamil Nadu and Kerala should reach for an amicable solution to the issue. “It
is not wise to discuss the issue through media,” he cautioned. Strongly
batting for interlinking of rivers, he said the country was “not prepared” to
face natural disasters caused by floods. “India needs visionaries to launch a
river linking project which may have to be completed in two decades and not a
five year plan which will fit into politics…,” he said.
Later talking to reporters, he
suggested a National Water Grid Management scheme which could be one of the
mechanisms to resolve inter-state disputes. “Like national highways and the
Central Power Grid, my suggestion is a National Water Grid Management (to
resolve water disputes)…,” he said.
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Kerala
parties agree to call off stirs over Mullaperiyar
A day after the Supreme Court
asked both Kerala and Tamil Nadu to cool tempers, major political parties of
Kerala, including the Congress and the Left parties, on 14.12.2011 announced
that they were calling off their respective agitations over the Mullaperiyar
dam issue. Representatives of the parties said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
had assured them he would do his best to find an amicable solution to the
issue over which political parties and organisations in Kerala and Tamil Nadu
have been pitted against each other in recent weeks.
Dr. Manmohan Singh, who met an
all-party delegation from Kerala at Parliament House, stressed on the need to
create a conducive atmosphere in both States. He wanted politicians and
others to restrain themselves as the Supreme Court was already seized of the
matter, and not to do anything that might aggravate the situation. The
delegation was led by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the former Chief
Minister, V.S. Achuthanandan.
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Tamil Nadu MPs’ protest
Meanwhile, a group
of Congress MPs from Tamil Nadu, led by TNCC president K. Gnanadesikan and
Dindigul MP N.S.V. Chithan, staged a demonstration near the Gandhi statue in
the Parliament complex seeking deployment of the personnel of the Central
Industrial Security Force in the Mullaperiyar dam area.
They also wanted
the Centre to advise Kerala to allow an increase in the water level in the
reservoir to 142 feet from the present 136 feet.
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