Chennai, Aug 5 (PTI) The Tamil Nadu government on Wednesday stated it will pursue raising the water level of the Mullai Periyar Dam to ensure long-term water security for the state.
In his budget speech for the revised estimates of 2026-27, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson emphasised the government’s commitment to protecting the state’s rightful share of inter-state river waters.
“The Government will also pursue the raising of the Mullai Periyar Dam water level, implementation of the Anaimalaiyar and Nallar dam projects, and the early execution of the Godavari-Cauvery River Link Project, to strengthen long-term water security and support farmers’ welfare,” the finance minister said.
However, historically, Kerala has argued that the dam, which is older than 126 years, poses a severe safety risk and insists on keeping water levels lower (around 136 feet) or decommissioning the dam entirely. Tamil Nadu, which is heavily dependent on the dam for agriculture and basic water supply, has been pushing for raising the level, ideally to its original capacity of 152 feet.
In the ensuing legal battle, the Supreme Court had permitted Tamil Nadu to raise the water level to 142 feet. PTI JR JR ADB
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