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National
Kerala to petition Supreme Court for Mullaperiyar dam safety inspection
✍️ India Today
🗓 02 Nov 2026, 09:32 PM
👁 18
The Kerala government announced it will approach the Supreme Court seeking a court‑ordered safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar dam.
Kerala's administration said it will file a petition in the Supreme Court demanding a comprehensive safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar dam, which straddles the border with Tamil Nadu. The move comes amid renewed concerns over the ageing structure, which was built in the late 19th century and has been the subject of a long-standing inter‑state dispute.
State officials argue that a judicially mandated inspection is essential to address potential risks to downstream communities and to resolve technical disagreements with Tamil Nadu authorities. They contend that existing monitoring mechanisms are insufficient and that an independent assessment would provide clarity on the dam's structural integrity.
The petition is expected to request that the court direct relevant engineering agencies to conduct a detailed evaluation, including seismic and hydrological studies, and to issue recommendations for remedial measures if needed. Kerala has previously urged the central government to intervene, but now seeks a direct court order to ensure timely action.
The Supreme Court's response will be closely watched, as any directive could set a precedent for handling similar infrastructure safety concerns across the country.
State officials argue that a judicially mandated inspection is essential to address potential risks to downstream communities and to resolve technical disagreements with Tamil Nadu authorities. They contend that existing monitoring mechanisms are insufficient and that an independent assessment would provide clarity on the dam's structural integrity.
The petition is expected to request that the court direct relevant engineering agencies to conduct a detailed evaluation, including seismic and hydrological studies, and to issue recommendations for remedial measures if needed. Kerala has previously urged the central government to intervene, but now seeks a direct court order to ensure timely action.
The Supreme Court's response will be closely watched, as any directive could set a precedent for handling similar infrastructure safety concerns across the country.