Mullaperiyar to burst or not !!!!!!

Mullaperiyar to burst or not !!!!!!

Periyar literally means big river( peri-big. Aar-river) this though name suggests is not Comparable to any big rivers of India not to mention the big rivers of the world. However periyar by all means the biggest river of this small state that is Kerala.Starting from the western ghats downwards to the Arabian sea. There are a lot of hydro electric dams across this river Idukki Sabarigiri are the Notable ones in size.Mullaperiyar dam is constructed in the kerala portion in the Tamilnadu Kerala boarder. Built of lime mortar hundred a and five years back still serving strong this dam is an architectural marvel .at present its height is 135’. Mullaperiayar dam is built store water and release it for the agricultural purpose of Tamilnadu which is situated in rain shadow region and perpetually faces water shortage. Naturally Kerala which has practically no use with this dam sees this as an instrument to rob their water resource.

Medias view this situation as an opportunity to the play the role of champion for the cause of the state. The Leading news papers have started campaigns that the dam has out lived its life and waiting for it to break it self is suicidal. If Mullaperiyar collapses the gush of water would be sufficient to destroy Idukki and sabarigiri both are no.1 and no.2 in size respectively of the dams in the state of Kerala. The holocaust in described in details of entire districts of Idukki Kottayam and Ernakulam being swallowed by flood waters. Chief ministers are forced to fly to Delhi frequently with memorandum for lessening the height of the Mullaperiyar dam to ensure safety –to play safe .In Tamilnadu where sentiments fly higher does not lag behind; Legislative assembly is flooded with calling attention notices and all sorts of propagandas .
The central -government also play their roles safe by appointing comities to see whether the dam is safe in its present form. the recently appointed in its report has given a clean chit to the smart dam. Controversy hardly dies down ,The committee comprised of only one member from Kerala and he was overshadowed the majority members was the next issue. similarly all the courts see an array of petitions regarding the Democles’s- sword that is the Poor dam..! Finally the Supreme Court has certified the safety of the mullaperiyar dam. Tamilnadu government using the opportunity is all prepared to raise the height of the dam from the present 135’ to 145’and finally to 152’.
Those who sensationalise the issue practically binds the hands of their governments making it impossible to find a solution. Kerala finds it its right to let 95%of the rain water flow directly in to the sea. Where as Tamilnadu is well known for its judicial use of its water -resources. The media has to play vital role in reporting this case with utmost objectivity as dispute with two neighbouring states can easily flare-up to unmanageable proportions; these two states are so interlinked that any misunderstanding can break a relationship that centuries old’ leading to bloodshed and mutiny. After all publicity and circulation come secondary to people and their livelihood.

Author:bharathi raja
Source:website on bharathimrd.blogspot.com