Mullaperiyar campaign – Politician’s goldmine?

K.M.Mani and P.J.Joseph who are the ministers in the present UDF Government and who were the part of different ministries in the past, V.S.Achuthanandan who was the Chief Minister of Kerala for 5 years, various political leaders from different parties, were seen in the forefront in the Save Mullaperiyar Campaign in the form of fasting and other methods of protest. How serious are they in this matter? Are they really concerned about the Mullaperiyar dam safety or these are just gimmicks to create a vote bank? Let’s go to Mullaperiyar’s history.

I would request your kind attention to the Mullaperiyar Dam Issue. We are raising our voice and holding our hands together to get the maximum attention and to avoid the major disaster to our native. Please act to save our state and current lives.

Mullaperiyar Dam is constructed over the headwaters of the Periyar River in 1895 Kerala, India. The area had several geological faults and 20 earthquakes had occurred from July 26 this year in the area. The earthquakes of magnitude of six on the Richter scale had occurred in the State of Kerala. If such a tremour occurred in the vicinity of the Mullaperiyar dam, it would wreck the dam as per the study done by Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkie. The scientists of the Centre for Earth Science here had said that even a quake of magnitude five on the scale could lead to failure of the dam.The Central Water Commission had said as back as in 1979 that the dam was weak and had recommended lowering of the water level. 

Many people still believe that the so called dangerous situation in Mullapperiyar dam is just a hype created by Kerala government and Keralites. I hope this article will atleast show some shocking scenes from the ground zero. Mullaperiyar dam is one of the oldest of its kind in South India. It was built before 110 years using some jurassic technologies, which the builder himself tells the ‘estimated’ life of dam is 50 years. The dam breach is 60 years over due now!

This dam has a height of 54 meters (177 feet) and a basement of 44.2 meters (145 feet). It is built with a mixture of Lime stone and mortar. When it was built, there was no reinforced concrete or similar techniques. The engineer who built this dam calculated that this dam will stand for 50 years. After building the dam there was an agreement between princely state of Travancore and then Madras presidency. It was purely an unfair dealing. The agreement says of leasing out the land area of reservoir for 999 years.

Kerala was giving water to Tamilnadu. It is, and it will. No problem. Problem comes in the other way. The dam is not safe to carry water more than 136 feet of water. Tamilnadu wants it to be raised to 142 feet. Whereas in late 1970s itself central water committee suggested not to raise water level beyond 136 feet as the dam is not in fit condition. Fact is that even in 136 feet water level, Tamilnadu will be able to get water. Another interesting fact is that Tamilnadu pays Andhrapradesh Rs. 3 crores per TMC of water, and Rs. 40,000 for 70 TMC of water! Shall we call it incompetency for Government of Kerala? We should!

Generally the security system there will not allow anyone to photograph this. Once, Indian navy was called for to photograph the cracks in the dam. But after boarding the boat, Navy got a call from ‘Higher’ authorities to come back! Understand, this “STRONG” wall is protecting the lives of 35 lakhs+ people who live downstream and 5 districts which are in the vicinity of this dam.

Breach of this dam will be so disastrous that, the high court building in Eranakulam will be under water! So, think.

Save Mullaperiyar Dam, Save Kerala!