18-06-2012, 04:30 PM
MULLAPERIYAR DAM ISSUE
Mullaperiyar Dam issue.pptx (Size: 491.43 KB / Downloads: 56)
MULLAPERIYAR DAM
It is constructed over the headwaters of the Periyar River in 1895
situated in Idukki District of Kerala
The Periyar National Park, Thekkady is located near the Periyar reservoir formed by the backwaters of this dam.
The name is derived from a portmanteau of Mullaiyar and Periyar.
In 1886 a lease for 999 years was made between Maharaja of Travancore and Madras presidency
The dam was built by British Army Engineering corps under the supervision of Benny Cook.
Still standing because of the excellence of the British Government work
CURRENT STATUS
Supreme Court has allowed for the storage level to be raised to 142 feet(2006).
Kerala enacted a new "Dam Safety Act" against increasing the storage level of the dam
But Kerala did not object giving water to Tamil Nadu.
Their main cause of objection is the dams safety as it is as old as 115 years.
Increasing the level would add more pressure to be handled by already leaking dam.So we need to construct a new dam
MULLAPERIYAR DAM : A TIME BOMB
IIT Delhi conducted a study which stated that the dam safety would be affected even at a level of 136 ft (41 m).
IIT Roorkee conducted structural stability study on the Reservoir and found that the structure would not be safe in the event of an earthquake
The Dam is situated in a quake prone area
20 mild tremors were reported this year alone and the latest was a few days ago