Mullaperiyar Dam safety panel to submit report within two weeks
The panel studying Mullaperiyar Dam's safety will submit its report to the NDSA within two weeks, covering structural, seismic, and hydrological assessments.
The comprehensive safety panel tasked with evaluating the Mullaperiyar Dam will submit its report to the National Dam Safety Authority (NDSA) within two weeks, according to Balraj Joshi, the panel's chairman and former Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC.
Speaking to reporters after a site visit at Thekkady on Tuesday, Joshi said the panel is conducting an impartial and thorough safety evaluation. The assessment will determine whether the structure is stable, fulfils its intended purpose, and ensures public safety and structural integrity, particularly given the public investment involved.
"Given that this is a very old dam, we are examining how it fits into modern engineering paradigms, including its design, engineering components, instrumentation, seismic resilience, and current engineering practices," Joshi said. He added that the panel includes multidisciplinary experts in seismic engineering, instrumentation, hydrology, and construction.
The team has recorded all site observations and will now review findings in internal discussions before submitting the report in a format mandated under the NDSA framework. While the initial inspection concluded on Tuesday, Joshi noted the panel could return for further examination if unresolved questions arise during technical discussions.
Officials said the study is scheduled from September 1 to 3. The panel includes Gopal Dhawan (former ED, NHPC), Prof. M.L. Sharma (Head, International Centre of Excellence in Earthquakes, IIT Roorkee), Gulshan Raj (former Chairman, Ganga Flood Control Commission), and Ashuthosh Dash (former Engineer-in-Chief, Odisha Water Resources Department).
The Supreme Court ordered the comprehensive review in 2022 following a plea by Kothamangalam resident Joe Joseph. Meanwhile, Kerala is expected to formally present its demands at an upcoming meeting in Thekkady. State sources said a single-day visual inspection is insufficient to assess the dam's true condition, and urged the panel to deploy specialised equipment for deep technical assessments, including seismic analyses and floodwater management capacity studies. Sources warned that if the study does not meet the required standard, the state may approach the Supreme Court again.