Chennai | The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday stated it will pursue raising the water level of the Mullai Periyar Dam to ensure long-term water security for the state.
In his budget speech for the revised estimates of 2026-27, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson emphasised the government's commitment to protecting the state's rightful share of inter-state river waters.
"The Government will also pursue the raising of the Mullai Periyar Dam water level, implementation of the Anaimalaiyar and Nallar dam projects, and the early execution of the Godavari-Cauvery River Link Project, to strengthen long-term water security and support farmers' welfare," the finance minister said.
However, historically, Kerala has argued that the dam, which is older than 126 years, poses a severe safety risk and insists on keeping water levels lower (around 136 feet) or decommissioning the dam entirely. Tamil Nadu, which is heavily dependent on the dam for agriculture and basic water supply, has been pushing for raising the level, ideally to its original capacity of 152 feet.
In the ensuing legal battle, the Supreme Court had permitted Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet.
Thiruvananthapuram | Kerala on Wednesday strongly protested Tamil Nadu's budget announcement on raising the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam, terming it against the interests of the state and asserting that it would not allow the reservoir level to be increased under any circumstances.
State Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said the state would officially convey its strong protest to the Tamil Nadu government and examine all options against the move.
Addressing reporters here, Joseph said he convened an emergency meeting of departmental officials and also held discussions with Chief Minister V D Satheesan soon after the Tamil Nadu budget announcement relating to the century-old dam.
"The firm stand of Kerala is that the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam will not be allowed to be raised under any circumstances," he said.
The minister said the safety of the over 130-year-old dam remained the primary concern of the state and reiterated that the Supreme Court-permitted maximum water level was 142 feet.
He alleged that although the Supreme Court had earlier directed that issues relating to the safety of the Mullaperiyar dam be examined, Tamil Nadu had not complied with those directions so far.
Joseph also claimed that no action had been taken on the apex court's direction to strengthen the Baby Dam.
"As long as serious concerns remain over the age of the dam and issues relating to its safety, nobody has the right, under the present circumstances, to raise the water level beyond the 142 feet permitted by the Supreme Court," he said.
He said Kerala was registering its complete disagreement with the Tamil Nadu announcement, especially when even the directions already issued by the Supreme Court had not been implemented.
The long-drawn stand of Kerala is that the safety of the state people and water for Tamil Nadu, he said.
Describing Tamil Nadu's proposal as being contrary to the Supreme Court's directions and position, Joseph said it was not only against the interests of Kerala but also against the national interest.
The minister said the state would also attempt to resolve the issue through discussions between the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
When asked whether the Kerala government would approach the court, Joseph said all aspects would be examined.
"Kerala strongly registers its protest, and it will be officially communicated to Tamil Nadu," he added.
Joseph also said Kerala has nominated former Odisha Chief Engineer Ashutosh Dash as its new nominee to the Independent Panel of Experts (IPoE) on the Mullaperiyar dam and that the nomination has been recognised by the Central Water Commission.
Earlier in the day, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said he was seriously considering holding talks with his Tamil Nadu counterpart C Joseph Vijay on the long-pending Mullaperiyar dam issue, even as official-level discussions between the two states were underway.
Responding to reporters' queries on reports that Tamil Nadu was planning to raise the water level in the century-old dam, Satheesan said the issue remained under dispute.
"Official-level talks are already underway. We are seriously considering a meeting at the CM level as well," Satheesan said.
The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday stated it will pursue raising the water level of the Mullai Periyar Dam to ensure long-term water security for the state.
In his budget speech for the revised estimates of 2026-27, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson emphasised the government's commitment to protecting the state's rightful share of inter-state river waters.
"The Government will also pursue the raising of the Mullai Periyar Dam water level, implementation of the Anaimalaiyar and Nallar dam projects, and the early execution of the Godavari-Cauvery River Link Project, to strengthen long-term water security and support farmers' welfare," the finance minister said.