Thambipirabu
The Historical evidence of Mullai Periyar Dam - a review
தொகுThe Historical evidence of Mullai Periyar Dam - a review
Mullai Periyar- one of the oldest and highest “solid masonry gravity dams” in the world, now enters into a spontaneous out coming of political polemics by Kerala Government and parties there at kerala. But in Tamilnadu spontaneous initial outpouring of the people, purely general public protesting the roadways without any political interference . This article is a spontaneous urge to explain the evidence and truth blended behind the traditional right and legitimate claim over the dam by Tamilnadu.
Origin of the River Major Indian Rivers passes towards East, South or South east and ends in to the sea. Only two rivers in India run towards West, North or North-west. One is Narmada and another one is Periyar. Among them the only river passes towards 2 states is Periyar. Periyar, the most important and Biggest River in Kerala originates in Sundara mountain of Sivagiri hills situated in Tirunelveli District Tamilnadu. Passing through dense forest ranges of West, at 48th kilometer it join hands with Mullai River where the existing dam was constructed. Over its 300 km journey friendly rivers Perundhurai river, Siruthoni, Chinna river, Kattappanai river, Idamalai river shake hands with it and passes towards Arabian Sea. The River names above stated itself clearly shows that the river is a Tamil river. “Peria aaru” is now called as Periyar. In Sangam ages tamil literatures ‘Ayngurunooru, Puranaanooru’ specifies the significant of this River. "Vanji"- the capital of Tamil kings Cheras is situated towards west of this Mullaiperiyar Dam.
Vision of the British Engineers Once in Tamilnadu without enough water content the irrigation at old undivided drought-prone Madurai and Ramnad Districts seemed to be in dearth. Drinking needs of the people living in this territory was once a biggest problem at the time. It is in records that during 1876-85 there was a severe famine that affected the living beings at undivided Madurai District. With 40 rivers in Kerala only 8% of the water is utilized by Kerala. Passing floods of these rivers without any significance goes to the Arabian sea. Same like those rivers Periyaru water goes to the sea. Many experts drafted plans to utilize the water. But due to dense forest region, they withdrawn their plans thinking that it was an highly risk factor. An English engineer named Colonel John Pennycuick noticed it. He planned to construct a dam at the junction of the Rivers Mullai and Periyar which is in the 48th km of Periyars pass way. Stopping the Rivers flow towards North-west and making it to pass towards East is his plan. British engineers came and started construction. But a huge flood came through, flushed out the constructed part of the dam. British Government dropped their plan to constructing again. By Colonel John Pennycuick move forward with his own fund, selling his properties and his wife’s jewelries. Also people of this region, Jamindhars contributed fund for the construction.The Masonry Dam was completed its construction on 1895 with 164 feets height and stocked the Flood till 152 feets. . West flowing periyar river, diverted across the ghats to the east through a 5704ft(178.5m) tunnel. Water sent through these 4 huge parallel pipelines (Tunnels) down the steep, eastern face of the Westen ghats to Tamilnadu, into Vaigai, a rain fed river which is the lifeline of South-East Tamilnadu. This daring remarkable engineering feat achieved with the hands of labor of mostly tamil workers turned an arid region into a fertile plain. Following seasonal rains in the catchment areas of the dam, the reservoir was fast filling up and with this water crops and cropping patterns changed in the mentioned 5 districts. Also the irrigation throughout sustained and the drinking water supply filled the regions, the 5 districts of tamilnadu. Peoples celebrated the contribution of the chief engineer Colonel John Pennycuick who supervised the project. Even now villages here are dotted with “Pennycuick Peravais” , “Pennycuick Tea shops”, “Pennycuick Hotels” etc.., Farmers in Cumbum, Koodalur region offer prayers before photos of cuick before sowing and harvesting days.
The Agreement India receives an average of 1215mm of rainfall throughout the country. But it is not even almost in all parts of the country. For example Rajasthan gets 100mm of Rainfall; whether at Meghalaya its 11,500 mm. The same happens in River resource also. At one part of the country it is necessity and another part it is excess and passes into the sea. Balancing or reducing this gap is a clever administration. English Government planned to construct the dams on this attitude only. On that period the land area of the dam was with the Presidency of Madras. The area nearby the dam in which the storage water occupies the land is with the Travancore Samasthanam. The king of Travancore asked Rupees Six Lakhs with Anjiyo, Thangacherry and Paalam Thaluks. It is fair if the British had given like this instead of 999 years lease. They thought that both Tamils and Malayalis must be inter-dependent on this project. Even till we were depending like they said. The Storage land region with Travancore side was 8000 acres. So on October 29th 1886 the treaty of Travancore signed an agreement. The agreement states that 1.Madras Presidency must give Rs.5/- per acre as Lease amount for the Water Storage land of 8000 acres, Rs.40000/- (forty thousand) per year. 2. Also it stated that the amount must not in the form of Travancore Currency “CHAKRAM”; it should be in British Pound. 3. The total lease period is 999 years. 4. Madras Presidency owns the Dam area since the maintenance has to be done by Madras Presidency.
Both the parties have the original deed with them.
The State Relationship The 152 feet storage capacity of the dam irrigates 2.23 lac Acres of land. 10 Lacs farmers see their land fertile. We get 10 lac tons of crops through Cultivation. Kerala’s gross need of agricultural food is 50 lac tons. But they cultivate 10 lacs ton only. Tamilnadu majorly satisfies them. By Getting cultivated through Mullai periyar Water tamilnadu provides two times more than the production of Paddy (Rice) to Kerala. Apart from that Vegetables for their Curry, Fruits, Flowers for pooja and even Coriander leaves were send through 1000 lorries daily to Kerala via 11 roads.
From 1955 onwards tamilnadu generates power and supplying to Kerala. On Tamilnadu view its rs.1780 Crore trade; In the view of Kerala, tamilnadu is giving food for their living. But this attitude is missing in among the Keralites.
The Crisis
After Independence Indian Government Implemented 5 year plans, Industrial growth happened. Thinking over the future Government planned to generate Electricity from the downstream flow of those Tunnels. Power plant erected, Electricity generated.
At this time Kerala raised claim over the cost given to them for the Water storage land. They asked Rs.30/- instead of agreed Rs.5/-per acre. Tamilnadu accepted and still giving Rs. 2lacs 40 thousand per acre as lease amount year by year for 8000 acres of land.
In 1962 a Reporter (Keralite) worked in Times of India, Mumbai Edition wrote an article questioning the safety and strength of the Resrvoir. This caused no effect among the public, but politicians catch over the same.
In 1979, Kerala Government scammed in Malayala Magazine as the dam is loosing its strength, at ought to be break anytime. The government itself said that there is a big hole in the dam, a size through an elephant can enter into it; also many will die if the dam would break. People believed a little now and then that lie exists still.
Same year Kerala constructed a new dam at Idukki District, the west downstream of the reservoir. The water fills the Mullai periyar dam, then flows down to this Idukki dam. Slightly at that period Earth Quake happens at the Idukki region which is below the danger lever since idukki is in 2nd Earth quake happening zone. Politicians caught this point to propagate and compelled tamilnadu to decrease the level of storage from 152 feet.
Tamilnadu requested Central Water Council to examine and report on the strength of the dam. After serious discussions, Tamilnadu agreed to decrease the level to 136ft on some conditions.
“The Dam will be strengthened by Tamilnadu government on its own cost. Till that time the storage will be at 136 feet. After the repairing and work on completion the actual level of 152 feet will be stored”
During 1980-1994 the dam has been strengthened. More than 12000 tons of concrete mixture poured to 1200ft length, 24ft wide Wall. 120ton weighing Iron rods were tied to the basement of the Reservoir to strengthen its Base. This project resulted the dam into 3 times stronger than the old one. The Former Chairaman of Central Water Resource Board Mr.KC.Thomas (belongs to Kerala) now reported that “the fear on the dams safety is meaningless” recently. He is the Chairman who undergone the Strengthen activity.
As the storage level has been decreased to 16 the actual storage land 8000 acres is now become 4677 acres. Balance land area has been illegally occupied by Kerala big sorts to build resorts and hotels.this I salso a main reason that these business persons playing lobby against the storage level 156ft. Though Tamilnadu is paying its Lease amount fully, yearly without fail.
This decrease in 16 ft made the content 10.4tmc to 6.4tmc. So that the land area of 1,25,000 acres, cultivated through this water has become drought - proned.
Over to the court of law 1.The Central Water Council formed a committee consists of MR.SS.Charar, Dr.TK.Mithal, Colonel Rajiv (Indian Navy) examined the Reservoir and suggested that the storage level must be once again increased to 145ft after some masonry works. Tamilnadu spent 26 crores again and satisfied the Board. Based on this, Supreme court ordered to Store water upto 145ft. Kerala Still now a not obeying the order. 2.Kerala Government Immediately passed a resolution in the Assembly as “Including Mullai Periyar dam all 22 dams are in the control of Kerala Government and it only having the right and power to fix or reconsider the Storage level of those dams. No other government of Court body cannot interfere on this”. Tamilnadu government claimed the Supreme court to order The Resolution passed by Kerala as void. Countering it Kerala also approached and filed a petition at Supreme court. But Supreme court rejected the petition filed by Krerala government. Supreme court asked the state chief ministers to sit for a Treaty. That treaty failed. For the past 17 years Tamilnadu proving its traditional right over the dam towards the court of law. As lawyer fees Tamilnadu paid 1200 crores. But still the justice is waiting. At last Supreme court now formed a committee headed by a former Justice.AS.Anand jointly with the inter state water resource department to re-examine the Dams strength and submit a report.
Questions and Answers - The Solution by experts
1.Why Kerala refuse to increase the Water Storage Level to 155ft.? “While the height has been decreased to 136ft, 3914acres of land has been occupied. Many politicians, Business dons, Riches built many resorts and Hotel buildings at this area. Though this area is under taken for lease by Tamilnadu no steps have been taken against them.If again the Capacity of Storage increased to 155ft these building would be drowned into Water. So they were propagating this issue” says Mr.Veerappan, Former Chief Engineer, TPWD.
2.Why kerala passed a resolution at its assembly to decrease the water level below 120 feet, decommissioning it to built a new dam.?
According to Mr.C.Sudhanthira Amalraj, retired executive engineer, TNPWD says that the design of the dam itself made it impossible to lower the water level below 136 feet. He adds “ Itys is not technically possible to lower the water level since there is no sluice in the dam to open the flood gates to drain the water, unlike in other dams. The storage water can be drawn only through the tunnel to the tamilnadu side and it too has limitations. Lowering it to 120 feet is as good as not having the dam at all. Amalraj explained that traditional reservoirs were constructed across rivers with sluices to regulate water flow downstream.but the Periyar dam is simply a wall like structure (without any sluices) meant to block the west flowing river and made the water stagnant. So that it can be diverted to the eastern side through tunnel.Thereover 1 spillways above 136 feet to drain the excess filling water above 136 feet. The horseshoe shaped tunnel is located at a height of 104 feet.The rate of discharge of water is dependent on the head pressure created by the level of water.So it is technically impossible to contain the water level at 120 feet unless there is no inflow in the dam. Now the actual dead storage level is 104 feet. If Kerala were to built a new dam 50 feet below, the dead storage level will become 154 feet. So how can kerala give tamilnadu water.?
3.Kerala Says that Idukki is in Earth Quake zone and it is dangerous if the dam breaks idukki, Kumuli, Elappara will be drowned?
“ In India the Earth Quake happening zones are categorized into 1,2,3,4,5 – 5 zones. Zone 1&2 are the least charted regions in which a slight feeling only happen while quake. Idukki is in Zone-2. The global Technique to measure and analyze the strength buildings and constructions is “ Finite Element Technique”. Dr.A.R.Santhakumar, expert in this research examined the dam at a that time and issued a certificate of strength to the Mullai Periyar Dam” says the Former Super-indent Engineer, Mr.R.Sambantham, Periyar Dam. If we accept for an argument that Earthquake will happen at this region the water from the main Periyar dam comes down to Idukki dam. Idukki dam is seven times bigger than tat of Periayar Dam. In between the downstream only Kumuli and Ealappara regions were there. They were situated at the height of 460ft (Kumuli) and 1960ft(Ealappara) from the Dam area. So it is meaningless that they drowned.
4.Kerala Govt says that “There will no change in providing water to tamilnadu after constructing a new dam”. Then What is the Problem now.?
Kerala Government submitted a brief report to Central Government on New Dam. In that report in the
a.“Sharing of water between states” heading Kerala says that it is Subject to availability of water.
b. Stating about Periyar river they say that it is not two state river (“not an inter state river but a intra
state river”).
c.Another point explains that “Other than that of Agreement deed made on 1886 tamilnadu has no right
over Periyar dam”.
This shows clearly the attitude of that Kerala government.
5.Though this issue longs for more time why now this issue is so highlighted and propagated more?
Kerala Assembly has 140 seats totally. Among that Congress won 72 seats and formed the ministry. While the Left front as opposite party has 68 seats now. Recently the Food minister mr.Jacob of Umman Chandi Government died on October. So there is vacant seat exists. Speaker acts as middlemen and has no vote.So Congress alliance has 70 seats as effective strength. The Constituency of died Jacob is “Piravam” in Idukki District. Election has been announced on January recently. So to prove the majority congress must won the constituency. The Left front lost its seat in previous election at Piravam by 174 votes only. If they work more they can won the election.if they won their strength will be 69 seats. So the Kerala government is now under pressure to prove its stability. Since this dam issue is taken as a propaganda now. At last no one has doubt on strength of Dam…its is the Strength of Congress Government. Since the Congress Prime minister Dr.Manmohan Singh never opens talk on this issue.
6.What are all the opinions of various persons concerning it?
a.R.Venkatasamy, Analyst, Water and Agriculture The right over the rivers and dams must be in the hands of Central Government. To handle these problems nationally there must be a autonomous body formed and according to this committee all rivers must be utilized according to the need and scarcity over the regions. b.Mr.M.Karunanidhi., DMK Leader Deployement of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the dam area will soften the existing crisis. Supreme Court Judgment must be honored at par by the Kerala Government.
c.Selvi.J.Jayalalaitha.,CM - Tamilnadu Immediate Deployement of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to maintain and retain peace. d.APJ. Abdul Kalam, Former President of india. Central Government must take care over all dams in India. As of now Deployement of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in the dam is needed.
e.RVG.Menon, CR.Neelakandan, Santhakumar Velapppan, and Pal Sakkariya (Keralites) These experts from Engineering and Literature were also supporting Taminadu in this major issue at par about their nativity. They stood on the humanitarian grounds. Pal sakkariya, a veteran writer says that no one from India must take part in the examination of the safety over the dam. The centre can appoint foreign personnel to give a detailed report over the dam. It may cost 5-6 crores. That too shared by the 2 state governments.
f.Other Water Management experts Entrust the Operation and Maintenance of this dam to a board constituted on the lines of Tungabadhra control Board. It has representatives from the centre, Karnataka and Andhrapradesh to operate and monitor the water flow.
Solution at the End The safety of the people living in Idukki District and the government ruling those people is responsible for their lives. Also people living in the region whom needs water continuously from the dam is also important as the lives of that people since it is their livelihood. So concluding this to a solution is to remerging the District if Idukki with Tamilnadu is the only way to move forward. If so the people of Idukki Dist were the people of TN.Then Tamilnadu has to decide on its own citizens Life & Livelihood.
by Thambi Prabu, +919843888778
Courtesy: Anandha vikadan, Times of india, India Today, Puthiya Thalaimurai, Frontline.
வருக!
தொகுவாருங்கள்!
வாருங்கள், Thambipirabu, விக்கிப்பீடியாவிற்கு உங்களை வரவேற்பதில் மகிழ்ச்சி அடைகிறோம்!
உங்கள் பங்களிப்புக்கு நன்றி தொகுப்புக்கு. விக்கிப்பீடியா என்பது உங்களைப் போன்ற பலரும் இணைந்து, கூட்டு முயற்சியாக எழுதும் கலைக்களஞ்சியம் ஆகும். விக்கிப்பீடியாவைப் பற்றி மேலும் அறிய புதுப் பயனர் பக்கத்தைப் பாருங்கள். தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியாவைப் பற்றிய உங்கள் கருத்துக்களையும், ஏதேனும் உதவி தேவையெனில் ஒத்தாசைப் பக்கத்திலோ அதிக விக்கிப்பீடியர்கள் உலாவும் முகநூல் (Facebook) பக்கத்திலோ கேளுங்கள். தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியாவில் கலந்துரையாடலுக்கான ஆலமரத்தடியில் முக்கிய உரையாடல்களைக் காணலாம். நீங்கள் கட்டுரை எழுதி, பயிற்சி பெற விரும்பினால், அருள்கூர்ந்து உங்களுக்கான சோதனை இடத்தைப் (மணல்தொட்டி) பயன்படுத்துங்கள்.
தங்களைப் பற்றிய தகவலை தங்கள் பயனர் பக்கத்தில் தந்தால், தங்களைப் பற்றி அறிந்து மகிழ்வோம். விக்கிப்பீடியா தங்களுக்கு முதன்முதலில் எப்படி அறிமுகமானது என்று தெரிவித்தால், தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியாவிற்கு மேலும் பல புதுப்பயனர்களைக் கொண்டு வர உதவியாக இருக்கும்!
நீங்கள் கட்டுரைப் பக்கங்களில் உள்ள பிழைகளைத் திருத்தலாம். கூடுதல் தகவலைச் சேர்க்கலாம். புதுக்கட்டுரை ஒன்றையும் கூடத் தொடங்கலாம். இப்பங்களிப்புகள் எவருடைய ஒப்புதலுக்கும் காத்திருக்கத் தேவையின்றி உடனுக்குடன் உலகின் பார்வைக்கு வரும்.
பின்வரும் இணைப்புக்கள் உங்களுக்கு உதவலாம்:
- விக்கிப்பீடியாவின் ஐந்து தூண்கள்
- விக்கிப்பீடியா:கொள்கைகளும் வழிகாட்டல்களும்
- விக்கிப்பீடியா:தமிழ் விக்கிப்பீடியா இவை அன்று
- கட்டுரையை எப்படித் தொகுப்பது?
மேலும் காண்க: