Thiruvananthapur, 09 Jan(HS):The Central Water Commission (CWC) has constituted a new five-member independent expert committee to carry out a comprehensive safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar Dam, one of India’s most contentious and ageing dams. The inspection is being conducted in accordance with the Dam Safety Act, 2021, officials said.

Following the issuance of the formal order constituting the committee, the Union government has officially informed both Kerala and Tamil Nadu in writing. The committee is expected to commence its detailed inspection shortly and has been directed to submit its report within four months.

The panel includes senior and independent technical experts. Former Chief Engineer and member of the Central Water Commission T.K. Sivarajan has been nominated as the Kerala representative on the committee. Former Managing Director of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), Balraj Joshi, is also a member of the expert body.

Once completed, the committee’s report will be submitted to the National Dam Safety Authority, as well as to the Union government and the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Significantly, only visual inspections by the supervisory committee have been conducted at Mullaperiyar since 2011, with no comprehensive structural or safety audit undertaken during this period. As per Central Water Commission guidelines, major dams such as Mullaperiyar are required to undergo a detailed safety inspection at least once every ten years.

The renewed push for a full-scale inspection follows a petition filed before the Supreme Court of India by Dr. Jo Joseph, a native of Kothamangalam, who highlighted the prolonged absence of mandatory comprehensive safety assessments at the dam.

The Mullaperiyar Dam, located in Kerala but operated by Tamil Nadu, has long been a subject of inter-state concern due to its age, structural safety, and the potential risks posed to downstream populations. The findings of the newly appointed expert committee are expected to play a crucial role in shaping future decisions on the dam’s safety and management.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman