Kerala favours CM-level talks to resolve Mullaperiyar dam issue after Tamil Nadu Budget mention
Kerala has indicated that it will seek discussions with Tamil Nadu, including the possibility of a Chief Minister-level meeting, to address the long-standing Mullaperiyar dam dispute after Chennai announced in its Budget that it would pursue raising the dam’s water level.
Kerala Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said the state would initiate talks with Tamil Nadu following the Budget announcement, while making it clear that Kerala’s position on the issue remains unchanged.
Describing Tamil Nadu’s declaration as unfortunate, the minister reiterated Kerala’s demand for the construction of a new dam and said concerns over the safety of the existing Mullaperiyar structure continued to remain central to the state’s stand.
The latest development has brought renewed attention to one of South India’s most sensitive inter-state disputes, which has remained unresolved despite years of discussions, legal proceedings and political engagement between the two neighbouring states.
Kerala had earlier hoped that closer political ties between the leaderships of the two states could help create conditions for progress on the issue. During the 2021-26 tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, expectations were raised that the political rapport between former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin could contribute to finding common ground.
The two leaders held discussions on several matters during this period, but the Mullaperiyar dispute did not see a major political breakthrough.
Reaffirming Kerala’s position, Mons Joseph said the dam had not undergone the comprehensive safety assessments that Kerala has repeatedly sought. He said the current water level of 142 feet is being maintained strictly in accordance with Supreme Court directions and that neither state has the authority to alter it independently.
Kerala maintains that any proposal to change the storage level should be considered by the Supreme Court after examining the concerns and submissions of both states. The state has also consistently argued that a new dam is the long-term solution to address safety concerns.
Tamil Nadu, however, has maintained that increasing the water level is linked to protecting its water rights and meeting the needs of its farmers and communities dependent on the Mullaperiyar reservoir. In its Budget announcement, the Tamil Nadu government said it would pursue raising the water level in accordance with existing agreements, tribunal awards and judicial directions.
The Budget also highlighted Tamil Nadu’s intention to safeguard its water interests, speed up projects including the Anamalayar and Nallur dam initiatives, oppose proposals such as the Mekedatu project that it believes could affect its interests, and advance the Godavari-Cauvery river-linking project.
The Mullaperiyar dam, located in Kerala’s Idukki district but operated by Tamil Nadu under historical agreements, has been a source of disagreement between the two states for decades. Kerala has raised concerns over the ageing structure and potential safety risks, while Tamil Nadu has stressed the importance of maintaining access to the reservoir’s water resources.
The latest exchange between the two governments suggests that the dispute, which had remained relatively quiet in recent years, could once again become a key issue in Kerala-Tamil Nadu relations. With both states holding firm positions, political dialogue and legal processes are expected to remain central to any future efforts at resolution.
