Mullaperiyar Dam issue: Centre forms committee to monitor FRL

An order was issued yesterday in the wake of a SC's order which had allowed TN to raise the water level to 142 feet

The Centre has constituted a three -member supervisory committee headed by a senior Central Water Commission (CWC) official to supervise the restoration of Full Reservoir Level (FRL) in the Mullaperiyar Dam to the elevation of 142 feet.

The Ministry of Water Resources issued the order yesterday in the wake of a Supreme Court order on May 7, which had allowed Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet and ultimately to 152 feet after completion of strengthening measures on the dam.

According to the order, CWC Chief Engineer, Dam Safety Organisation (DSO), L A V Nathan would be the Chairman of the supervisory committee, while the Public Works Department Principal Secretary of Tamil Nadu and Additional Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department of Kerala are the members of the committee.

The committee shall inspect the dam periodically, more particularly, before and during monsoon to keep a close watch on its safety and recommend necessary measures.

The committee shall be free to take appropriate steps and issue necessary directions to Kerala and Tamil Nadu that are required for the safety of the 119-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam.

It shall also permit Tamil Nadu to carry out further precautionary measures that may become necessary upon its periodic inspection of the dam in accordance with the guidelines of CWC and Dam Safety Organisation.

Mullaperiyar dam is a masonry dam and was constructed pursuant to the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement of 29 October, 1886 across Periyar river. The construction continued for about eight years and was completed in 1895.

The dam is situated in Idukki district in Kerala and is owned and operated by the Tamil Nadu government. The length of the main dam is 1,200 feet and top of the dam is 155 feet.