Politics
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Kerala offers Tamil Nadu all water from new Mullaperiyar dam
The Hindu··20 Aug
Kerala's V.D. Satheesan told the Southern Zonal Council at Mahabalipuram that Kerala would give Tamil Nadu all water from a proposed new Mullaperiyar dam. He said Kerala would pay the full cost while Tamil Nadu would decide design, construction and location. The existing Idukki structure is about 130 years old. He met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you farm in Theni, Madurai, Dindigul, Sivaganga or Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu says it still wants more water from the existing Mullaperiyar dam, not a new one.
- Anyone living downstream in Idukki can note Kerala is again offering to fund a replacement dam and to leave site and design to Tamil Nadu.
- If you follow the Supreme Court file, Kerala says a comprehensive safety evaluation of the present dam is due by 31 December 2026 and has not been completed.
What's Happening
- The offer was made at the Southern Zonal Council meeting chaired by Amit Shah, with Kerala Industry Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty also present.
- Satheesan urged repeal of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Act, 2026, and asked that sand mining off the Kerala coast wait for a study.
- He sought a unified enforcement front on narcotics, illegal migration and cyber crime, and proposed Inter-State Police Nodal Officers.
Why The Two States Still Read The Same Dam Differently
- The dam sits in Kerala and is operated by Tamil Nadu; Kerala calls the 130-year-old structure unsafe, while Tamil Nadu says it is safe and wants a higher storage level.
- Kerala Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph had already rejected a Tamil Nadu Budget line on raising the level and said a new dam was the primary requirement.
- The Week reported Vijay saying Kerala's stance was not correct and that he would pursue the 2014 court-linked height rather than a replacement dam.
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