MULLAPERIYAR DAM: A GLIMPSE -blog

From the recent controversies to the origin of rivalry between the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Mullaperiyar has always remained as the source of heat for the past controversies and may remain same for years to come. 

What is Mullaperiyar dam?

Why was it built? 

Who profits from this 126 year old dam?

What is the history behind construction of the dam ?

What is the ongoing controversy ?

Should the dam be decommissioned as everyone says? [and my take on it]

Today we will answer these question,

LOCATION AND MEASUREMENTS:

The Mullaperiyar dam built  few kilometers away  from the actual confluence point of Mullayar  river of T.N and Periyar river of Kerala is exactly located in;  Cardamom Hills ,Western Ghats, Thekkady , IDUKKI. 

The gravity dam heights 53.6m and length is 365.7 m which stands 881 meters above sea level.

NOTE;Gravity dam is a kind of dam in which water stands on the strength of dam.

WHY WAS IT BUILT:

In Kerala , Periyar river brought flood every year and took many lives. Whereas, in Madurai rivers dries up quick and take many lives.

In 1876 a famine broke out in Madras Province which killed more than 10 lakh people. The NEWS, the Illustrated London News released a graphic story on it as well.

So it was subsequently the plan of British to divert the river that caused flood in Kerala to drought prone areas of Tamil Nadu.

 Initially it was the idea of Pradhani Muthirulappa Pillai, minister  of Ramnad king Muthuramalinga Sethupathy but was ruled out as it was very expensive.  The famine really pushed the intution into action. Captain. J. L. Cladwell and team investigated present day  location of dam.

THE CONSTRUCTION:

1882,After many revisions the rubble and concrete design   of John Pennycuick was approved for the constrcution of this masonary dam. The land area required for the construction of tunnel and dam was under Travancore . British knew that it was impossible to get an approval of then ruler  VISHAKAN THIRUNNAL for a project that is no profitable to them. Therefore they went up with an old story. During the reign of Tippu Sulthan there was an attack on Travancore . Then it was protected by english soldiers of madras province. And now that the ruler couldn't refuse their proposal.

As the dam was no gain for the royal family, his highness requested for a just amount of money as a charge which lead to a 20 year long disagreement . By 1886,  the dispute came to an end. Maharaja of Travancore when signing THE PERIYAR LEASE DEED stated "I am signing this agreement with my blood" which shows his anguish in signing the 999 year lease in cost of mere Rs.5 / acre. 

The construction of the dam begins in year 1887.As mentioned above, Pennycuick's rubble and concrete design was approved for the construction. As the materials were too soft,  the construction fails not once but twice. The authorities called quits on the project. But John Pennycuick who was very passionate on his responsibility, returned to England sold off all his belongings and completed the construction. As an honour he is still considered a god among many Tamilians.

                                                                 Sir. John Pennycuick

THE DAM:

It is two dams in total. A main dam and a baby dam. The dam has no spillway which makes it unique. It is also a dam built in a state and used by an other state. There was no plan to to produce electricity from the water at its initial stage . Later 1932 ,when commercial electricity became profitable the idea was brought into consideration. It is one among worlds oldest dams still in function.

THE THREAT:

  May 11, 1962, Times of India declares that The Mullaperiyar dam is in danger for the first time.The reason that they stated was that the dam did not have facility to completely drawdown water for anykind of strengthening.

• It is a gravity dam made of LIMESTONE AND BURNT BRICK POWDER[surkhi] and faced with rubble. The dam was constructed for a period of 50 years and this October 10th, it marks its 126th anniversary. After the claimed strengthening of dam by Tamil Nadu government, Kerala govt. observers opined that there are mistakes in strengthening work damaged masonary of dam.
•  UN report listed the dam among 6 other dams that should be decommissioned as they were built in seismically active zone.
• The dam was constructed with 19th century techniques which caused leaks in the dam.
• The dam is situated in seismically active zone. So studies by IIT , Rorkhee and IIT, Delhi  results show that if ever an earthquake occurs with a frequency from 6.2 - 7 leads to the complete destruction of dam.
• The destruction of dam will wipe off more than 3.5 lakh of Kerala's population.
• As a safety protocol, Kerala reduced the water level from 142ft to 136ft which was 6ft lower than actual capacity. But after a series of cases in the apex court and high courts of both the state verdict ordered to increase the water level. 
• In 1965, A new contract was signed between Kerala and Tamil Nadu increasing the rental amount to Rs.30/acre. Here, water passes to Tamil Nadu by Penstock pipes that runs from mullaperiyar to Tamil Nadu's lower house power camp and reaches Vaiga Dam. The amount of water that can be drawn is 1800CFS. If in any case Tamil Nadu refuses to take water in any less quantity than that, the level of water rises in dam posing threat to many lives.
• 2010, Justice A. S. Anand committee was asked to check into the safety of dam.
• Decommission Mullaperiyar was recently on news which  Hon.C.M. ruled out. Sooner declared that there was safety concerns in mullaperiyar dam. And maintains water level to 136 ft. to date.

THE CONCLUSION:

About 5 districts in Tamil Nadu depend on the water from  the dam. An approximate of 1 lakh acres of land depends on the water from this dam for cultivation. And the only amount that Kerala demands is a grand total of 10 lakh that is two and half lakh for water and seven lakh for electricity. Both states will be safe as long as they cooperates to discuss and find a solution on the dam

My take: The dam will remain safe until Tamil Nadu agrees to draw water on a safer quantity. In any given circumstance if it refuses to downdraw water , it can cause severe damage to the safety of dam. A thorough investigation into dam's safety is also required with the cooperation of both the states. And  maintaining the water level is as important as well. Precautionary measures to be taken in any case of proven damages to dam in order to prevent massacre of many in a blink.

That's Edna Anna Vilot for you. Wish you a happy read..