Keralam to move Supreme Court over Mullaperiyar dam safety inspection
Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph announced a special petition to enforce a 2024 judgment regarding the dam.
The Keralam government will file a special petition in the Supreme Court to ensure the implementation of a 2024 judgment that allowed a detailed safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar dam, according to The Pioneer and The Federal.
Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph stated on Monday that senior advocate Mohan V Kattarki has been appointed as lead counsel for the case. Joseph also said the state will seek active intervention from the Centre to resolve the long-standing dispute with Tamil Nadu over the dam.
Regarding the Baby Dam issue, the minister noted that the state has already notified the Apex Court that it met the required conditions. Joseph also mentioned that the government intends to overhaul the Water Resources Department and the Kerala Water Authority to improve irrigation and drinking water supply.
A Keralam Water Conclave is scheduled for the first week of December in Thiruvananthapuram, featuring experts such as international disaster management specialist Muralee Thummarukudy. The government also plans to announce a comprehensive water policy by early 2027.
Immediate priorities include addressing the loss of nearly half the water pumped from Aruvikkara to consumers in the state capital. A pilot project using new technology will be launched to identify leakages, with the possibility of expanding the technology across the state if successful.
The government is also exploring desalination plants along the coast and studying foreign technologies to process water hyacinth in Kuttanad. Additionally, the state aims to turn dam sites and canal networks into tourism destinations through renovation projects.