The National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) has confirmed that the Mullaperiyar Dam is structurally sound and poses no safety threat. Following an on-site inspection and a detailed review meeting, NDSA Chairman Anil Jain stated that the dam remains in excellent condition and there is no cause for alarm.
The inspection team thoroughly assessed the dam’s structure, equipment, hydro-mechanical components, and galleries. “After reviewing the post-monsoon condition of the dam, we found no issues affecting its stability or the surrounding environment,” said Jain.
Addressing the long-standing disputes between Kerala and Tamil Nadu, Jain noted that the oversight committee meeting helped resolve several pending issues amicably. It was decided that Tamil Nadu will supply specific technical equipment to Kerala, while Kerala will facilitate Tamil Nadu’s access through the forest routes leading to the dam area.
The committee also examined the results of a Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) underwater survey, which provided crucial data on the dam’s underwater sections. Based on the findings, the panel will finalize the next phase of maintenance, including Kerala’s approval for grouting works once the complete report is submitted.
Plans are also underway for a comprehensive safety reassessment of the dam. Both states will nominate experts for inclusion in an independent evaluation panel, with the NDSA taking the final call on its composition.
Regarding the Baby Dam, Jain clarified that Tamil Nadu will need to secure approval from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change to clear trees necessary for repair works.
The high-level inspection team included Anil Jain (NDSA Chairman), Rakesh Toteja (NDSA Member – Disaster and Resilience), Anand Ramasamy, J. Jayakanthan (Tamil Nadu Supervisory Committee Secretary), Bishwanath Sinha (Kerala Supervisory Committee Member), R. Subramanian (Supervisory Committee Chairman), and R. Priyesh (Government of Kerala representative). The delegation visited both the Mullaperiyar and Baby Dam sites for a detailed evaluation.
With this latest assessment, authorities have reaffirmed that the century-old Mullaperiyar Dam continues to remain safe, stable, and well-maintained, ensuring peace of mind for residents on both sides of the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border.
