Key Facts about Mullaperiyar Dam

About Mullaperiyar Dam:

• It is a masonry gravity dam located in Thekkady, Idukki district, Kerala.
• The dam is built at the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar (longest river in Kerala) rivers.
• It is one of the oldest dams in India.
• The dam’s primary function is to transfer water from the Periyar River to the Vaigai River basin in Tamil Nadu for irrigation and power generation purposes.
  • The water from the reservoir reaches the Theni, Madurai, Sivaganga, and Ramanathapuram districts of Tamil Nadu through tunnels that cut across the Western Ghats.
  • The dam also generates electricity for Tamil Nadu through four hydroelectric power plants: Lower Periyar, Periyar Dam, Periyar Power House, and Vaigai.
• The dam was constructed with limestone and “Surkhi” (burnt brick powder and a mixture of sugar and calcium oxide).
• It is surrounded by the Periyar National Park, a renowned biodiversity hotspot that is home to numerous endangered species of animals and birds.
• Although the dam is located in Kerala, it is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu.
  • It was according to a 999-year lease agreement made during British rule that the operational rights were handed over to Tamil Nadu.
• In recent years, there has been a long-standing dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu over the safety of the dam.
  • Kerala has been demanding that the dam be strengthened or decommissioned, while Tamil Nadu has opposed any such move.