A dam built 116 years back when structural engineering was not developed to the level we have today cannot be expected to last for ever.This every one who can think without any bias can easily understand.
Tamil Nadu is getting water from this dam for a very little cost for years together from Kerala.They use it for irrigation and for producing Electricity through Hydro Electric power station which is the cheapest method of producing Electricity.Tamil Nadu politicians are simply not bothered about weak structure of Mullaperiyar dam which has outlived its existence nearly 60 years back.
What if the dam collapses?Water stored in dam will flow to down stream Kerala at very high speed damaging property on banks of river Periyar and killing all living beings on its path.It is estimated that nearly 30 lakh Keralites will die within very little time as the water breaking out from the dam will run down very fast damaging every thing on its way.
Engineer who built this dam 116 years back has predicted that it will last safely for 50 years.So for the balance years it is remaining in tact as a miracle.Such miracles do not go on for ever.Already cracks are developed on the storage walls of dam.Bonding used for building old Mullaperiyar dam is only lime.Both laterite and lime get deteriorated over a period of time and now it is at the most precarious condition.
A catastrophe can happen any moment killing millions of Keralites and Tamil Nadu which now enjoys cheap power and water for irrigation from Mullaperiyar can possibly watch death of millions of Keralites and their source of cheap power and water for irrigation can end for ever without any Malayalee doing anything.
So an alternate modern dam at the down stream of present Mullaperiyar dam is essential to save lives and property of Keralites and to ensure continuous supply of water to Tamil Nadu.
While the dam is facing imminent destruction Tamil Nadu politicians are demanding loudly to raise water level in the dam to speed up destruction of the dam!Why should they shut their eyes and ears to reality? I simply cannot understand this.
Kerala Govt,Kerala politicians and People in general in Kerala are not aware of the death threat on nearly half of its population.Politicians are simply conducting all party meetings,pilgrimage To Delhi to chit chat with rulers there and waiting patiently for ever for court verdicts on cases going on in the matter for decades.
But an Engineering structure having outlived its date of safe existence will not wait for permission from Governments,courts to break down and cause havoc unheard of or unimagined by any one ever.An earth quake of even minor nature can push the destruction earlier.
Are we all waiting silently for the largest, deadliest catastrophe ever faced by Kerala and India coolly? Will at least ordinary people of Kerala rise up and force these non moving rulers to act fast and ensure that an alternate latest technology dam replaces Mullaperiyar dam fast? Will they force rulers to take whatever precautions ,safeguards to avoid danger while the new dam work is in progress? I have practically no hope and I wait for the death threat like some one sentenced to death!
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