Published Aug 05, 2026 | 1:42 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 05, 2026 | 1:42 PM
Mullaperiyar dam
The Tamil Nadu government’s announcement in its Budget that it will pursue raising the water level of the Mullaperiyar Dam has once again brought the longstanding inter-state dispute into focus, triggering fresh concerns in Kerala.
Presenting the Budget, Finance Minister Dr N Marie Wilson, on Wednesday, said the government would continue its efforts to raise the water level in the Mullaperiyar Dam.
The statement has renewed apprehensions in Kerala, which has consistently opposed any move to increase the reservoir level, citing safety concerns.
Kerala has maintained that the water level should remain at 136 feet, arguing that any increase could pose risks to the ageing dam’s structural stability.
Tamil Nadu, on the other hand, has long sought to raise the level to 152 feet once the final reinforcement of the dam is completed to enhance water storage for irrigation and drinking water needs.
The issue has a significant legal backdrop.
In 2014, the Supreme Court upheld Tamil Nadu’s stand and permitted the water level to be raised to 142 feet, and to 152 feet after the dam is strengthened.
However, following concerns repeatedly flagged by Kerala, the reservoir has continued to be maintained at 136 feet in practice during various periods.
With the latest Budget announcement, the Tamil Nadu government has indicated that it intends to pursue measures, including efforts to raise the water level to 142 feet.
Kerala has consistently argued that increasing the storage level in the century-old dam could compromise its safety.
The state has also expressed concerns in the past that a higher water level could adversely affect wildlife in the surrounding forest areas.
In its submissions before the Supreme Court, Kerala had maintained that any increase in the reservoir level, and the subsequent release of water during heavy rainfall, could heighten flood risks and endanger the lives of lakhs of people living downstream.
The Mullaperiyar Dam, located in Kerala’s Idukki district, is operated and maintained by the Tamil Nadu government under a long-standing lease arrangement, making it one of the most contentious water-sharing issues between the two neighbouring states.
Also Read | It’s not about representation: How Mullaperiyar Dam is slowly moving beyond Kerala and Tamil Nadu’s control
(With inputs from Dileep V Kumar.)
