The Supreme Court on Tuesday fixed February 4 as the next date of hearing on the Mullaperiyar dam issue.
Appearing before the Apex Court, V. Krishnamurthy, AAG of the state of Tamil Nadu, highlighted that the Supreme Court had, on January 11, 2022, stated that the note on issues shall be filed by February 4.
The Court put on record that the matter will remain on board, but will not be called out before February 4. A date shall be notified for the same, it added.
The current Writ Petition highlighted the inaction of the Supreme Court-appointed Supervisory Committee in charge of overseeing the material and safety aspects of the Mullaperiyar Dam and calls for proper dam monitoring. The petitioner argues that the matter requires immediate attention due to heavy rains in Kerala over the last week, as 50 lakh lives were at stake.
The Court, in its Order dated March 16, 2021, stated that three core issues will have to be addressed by the Supervisory Committee to ensure the safety of the dam.
The first is about the dam’s instrumentation and monitoring its performance. The second is to finalise the rule curve, followed by the finalisation of the gate operation schedule/reservoir operation plan. The Court stated that this shall be completed within four weeks.
Additionally, the Court clarified that the State of Kerala is free to give its suggestions to the Committee, while noting that the State of Tamil Nadu had failed to prove the relevant information for finalising the rule curve. In so far as this is concerned, the Court directed the State of Tamil Nadu to provide the requisite information to the Committee within two weeks, else there will be action against the Chief Secretary himself.
This is in view of the dam’s safety and the effect it may have upon the habitants of nearby areas.The Court directed the Supervisory Committee to take necessary steps, including appropriate directions to the parties, along with submitting a report before the Court.
The Court, via its order dated October 25, 2021, had directed all authorities to interact immediately and directed the Committee to take a firm decision about the maximum water level to be maintained in the dam.