The Supreme Court on Wednesday (February 19, 2025) directed a supervisory committee, constituted by the Centre on January 3 and chaired by the head of the National Dam Safety Authority, to look into issues raised by Tamil Nadu against Kerala concerning the maintenance of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar dam.

• This committee, formed by the Centre, is headed by the National Dam Safety Authority.
• Mullaperiyar Dam is a masonry gravity dam on the Periyar River of Idukki district of Indian state of Kerala. 
• It is situated 150km south east of Kochi and 200km north east of state capital city of Trivandrum.
• It is located 881 m (2,890 ft) above the sea level, on the Cardamom Hills of the Western Ghats in Thekkady, Idukki District of Kerala, India. 
• It was constructed between 1887 and 1895 by John Pennycuick .
• Safety concerns have made the dam a contentious issue, particularly after the 2011 earthquake in Sikkim. 
• Kerala has expressed worries about the dam’s structural integrity, Tamil Nadu insists that it remains safe.

What is was the issue?

The Tamil Nadu Water Resources Department alleges that Kerala has postponed routine maintenance activities, such as crucial repairs and approvals for materials required to reinforce the dam. According to Tamil Nadu, these delays by Kerala are hindering essential safety measures.