Tamil Nadu had filed a petition alleging that Kerala was obstructing essential maintenance activities at the dam site.
Published May 19, 2025 | 10:05 PM ⚊ Updated May 19, 2025 | 10:05 PM
The bench advised both parties to refrain from politicising the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation.
Synopsis: The Supreme Court has directed Kerala and Tamil Nadu to cooperate on maintenance work at the Mullaperiyar dam and issued specific instructions to both states. It asked the central government to decide within four weeks on Tamil Nadu’s application for environmental clearance and directed Kerala to process related permissions without delay. The case stems from Tamil Nadu’s complaint that Kerala was obstructing maintenance activities at the dam site.
The Supreme Court has directed Kerala to cooperate with Tamil Nadu on maintenance work at the Mullaperiyar dam, following a petition filed by Tamil Nadu alleging that Kerala was obstructing essential maintenance activities at the dam site.
The matter has been under consideration for several months, with both state governments submitting separate affidavits to the Court.
The case came up for hearing before a special three-judge bench headed by Justice Surya Kant. During the hearing, the bench questioned whether any concrete steps had been taken to facilitate Tamil Nadu’s maintenance work at the dam.
In response, the Senior Counsel representing the Kerala government alleged that Tamil Nadu had failed to adhere to certain procedural environmental guidelines required for undertaking such work.
Countering this, Tamil Nadu’s Counsel pointed out that Kerala had previously granted permission to cut trees in the area but was now insisting on obtaining fresh environmental clearance from the Union government.
The bench advised both parties to refrain from politicising the matter and emphasised the need for cooperation.
The apex Court directed the Central Government to decide within four weeks on Tamil Nadu’s application seeking environmental clearance for tree cutting at the dam site.
It also instructed the Kerala government to immediately process the necessary permissions related to Tamil Nadu’s application for tree cutting and maintenance work.
Further, the Court mandated that the forest road leading to the Mullaperiyar dam via Vallakadavu be repaired by the Kerala government, with Tamil Nadu officials present during the work. Tamil Nadu was directed to bear the financial cost of these repairs.
In addition, the Court ordered Kerala to provide a second boat for the use of Tamil Nadu officials and workers involved in dam maintenance and safety operations.
Any further requests or issues concerning the dam must be promptly addressed by the Mullaperiyar Oversight Committee, the Court added.
The hearing was adjourned for further proceedings.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
