Alka Verma –
Published On: October 25, 2021 at 14:30 IST
On Monday, October 25, the Supreme Court of India asked the Supervisory Committee to about 150-year old Mullaperiyar Dam to specify the water level of the Dam.
The Court also Ordered the concerning Officials to conversate and asked them to find a Decision regarding the appropriate water level of the dam by over tomorrow.
A Bench comprising Justices AM Khanwilkar and CT Ravikumar also asked the Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to get all the necessary Directions from the Committee.
“An issue has been raised that there is an immediate need to specify the water level in the dam. If there is immediate need or not, take instructions, understand the anxiety of the parties…the committee has to take a decision, keeping in level the risk factor involved”, stated Justice Khanwilkar.
The Bench Issued such Orders while it was Hearing two Writ Petitions which was filed by parties from Kerala.
The aim of the Petition was to get certain urgent and immediate guidelines regarding the restriction of the water level in the Mullaperiyar dam.
The Petitions were filed amid the issues regarding the flood situation in Kerala.
Advocate Wills Mathew, who was appearing for one of the Petitioners, stated before the Court that because of heavy rainfalls water level has gone up.
Adding to this, he also stated, “Life of 50 lakh people are in danger.”
However, Advocate V Krishnamurthy, who was appearing for the State of Tamil Nadu, educated the Bench that currently the water 137.2 feet.
Adding to this, pointing on the Supreme Court’s judgment of 2006 and 2014, he also stated that Tamil Nadu can keep the water-level in the dam up to 142 feet.
“We don’t know what risk factors are involved. Committee needs to decide this. We can’t decide water levels. This has to be decided immediately, in a day or two,” stated Justice Khanwilkar.
“Instead of debating here, do something constructive there. Everyone has to work seriously and sincerely. This isn’t political arena where you’ll debate, it’s about people’s lives. Its due to inaction of one party or other that we have to interfere”, added Justice Khanwilkar.
At the end, the Bench stated that the problem of level of water will be Finalized once the Opinion of the Committee will be received.
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