Archive · 12 Aug 2026
TN govt complains to SC of Kerala's 'obstructionist attitude' to strengthening Mullaperiyar dam
Two neighboring states in India, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, are arguing over a very old dam called Mullaperiyar.
The dam sits in Kerala, but Tamil Nadu manages it and uses its water.
Many years ago, India's highest court said the dam is safe and Tamil Nadu could store more water in it.
But Kerala worries about the dam because it is very old, and has not helped with repairs.
Tamil Nadu says Kerala is blocking the safety work and is not sharing important information.
To fix the dam, trees near it need to be cut and special holes in the dam need to be filled, but Kerala has not approved this.
Kerala was also asked to fix a road near the dam and was given money for it, but the work has not started.
Tamil Nadu is now asking the Supreme Court to make Kerala cooperate so the dam can be repaired and hold more water.
The C. Joseph Vijay-led TVK government has complained to the Supreme Court against Kerala's 'obstructionist attitude' in the Mullaperiyar dam dispute.
A 2014 Supreme Court Constitution Bench declared the 131-year-old dam safe and allowed Tamil Nadu to raise the reservoir water level from 136 feet to 142 feet, but implementation remains stalled.
The report says Kerala has not cooperated in strengthening the baby dam, the earth dam, and grouting of the main dam, and has not received a proposal for wildlife committee clearance despite a July 31, 2025 statement to the court.
Tamil Nadu has sought permission to fell trees near the dam site and to complete grouting works on the main dam.
Kerala has yet to start repair work on the approach road from Vallakkadavu despite receiving administrative sanction for ₹87,64,000, and has not provided the Emergency Action Plan or real-time rainfall and flood data.
The 1,200-foot-long dam was constructed under the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement of October 29, 1886 and completed in 1895; it is located in Kerala's Idukki district but owned and operated by Tamil Nadu.
- Who
- The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay and the Kerala government, with the Supreme Court of India as the arbiter.
- What
- Tamil Nadu complained to the Supreme Court about Kerala's alleged obstructionism in implementing a 2014 judgment that declared the Mullaperiyar dam safe and allowed the water level to be raised to 142 feet.
- When
- The apex court judgment was delivered on May 7, 2014; Kerala's senior counsel made a statement in court on July 31, 2025, and Tamil Nadu's report was filed in August 2026.
- Where
- The Mullaperiyar dam, located in the Idukki district of Kerala across the Periyar River.
- Why
- Tamil Nadu says Kerala's delays in permitting strengthening work, sharing rainfall and flood data, and preparing an Emergency Action Plan are holding up critical safety work and the court-approved water level rise.
Tamil Nadu's position
Kerala's position
Raising the water level
Tamil Nadu's position
The Supreme Court declared the dam structurally safe in 2014 and allowed the level to rise to 142 feet, so Kerala should not stand in the way.
Kerala's position
Kerala has not cooperated with the strengthening measures needed for the water level rise, per Tamil Nadu's complaint.
Permission delays
Tamil Nadu's position
Kerala is attempting to delay permission for transporting grouting materials and machinery and has not forwarded the wildlife clearance proposal despite telling the court it had already granted permission.
Kerala's position
Kerala's position per the report is that the necessary permission was already accorded.
Safety and data sharing
Tamil Nadu's position
Kerala has still not provided real-time rainfall and flood data, and the Emergency Action Plan based on National Dam Safety Authority terms is pending.
Kerala's position
Kerala was paid for the approach road repair in November 2025 but has yet to start the work.
- Dam location
- Idukki district, Kerala, across the Periyar River
- Ownership and operation
- Tamil Nadu
- Dam age
- 131 years old at the time of the 2014 ruling
- Construction
- Built under the Periyar Lake Lease Agreement of October 29, 1886; completed in 1895
- Main dam dimensions
- 1,200 feet long; top of dam at 155 feet
- Reservoir water level
- Raised from 136 feet to 142 feet; Tamil Nadu cites a 2006 judgment permitting eventual rise to 152 feet after strengthening
- Road repair estimate
- ₹87,64,000 initial cost estimate deposited by Kerala in November 2025; Tamil Nadu granted administrative sanction in February
- Report preparation
- Prepared by advocate B Karunakaran and finalised by senior advocate G Umapathy