What is Mullai Periyar Dam Issue - Tamil Nadu, Kerala State Government stand on it!

The Mullaperiyar Dam was constructed by the British during 1887-1895 across Periyar River in the then Travancore state (now Kerala) territory. The dam, with full reservoir level of 152 ft. provides for diversion of water from the reservoir through a tunnel to Vaigai basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation benefits.

A 999-year lease was made, and accordingly, the Tamil Nadu government has been operating the dam, though the land is spread in Kerala state. The Periyar power station in TN produces hydro-electric power from these waters and distributes that electricity in the state.

Apart from providing drinking water to the people of Madurai, Theni, Sivaganga and Ramanathapuram, the diverted waters helped irrigate about 80,000 hectares of parched land in these districts.

Now, the issue is - Kerala government feels that if the dam breaks half of Kerala would be flooded and would kill thousands of people - so would like to construct a new DAM and kerala would take control over it.. Tamil Nadu government is ready for alternate measures of reducing the water level or repairing the dam etc., Tamil Nadu is not ready to leave it off to Kerala and suffer of drought.

Here is the issue. Sooner the solution, sooner the better for the Country itself!