Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 2 The Keralam government will approach the Supreme Court to ensure the implementation of its 2024 judgment permitting a detailed safety inspection of the Mullaperiyar dam, state Water Resources Minister Mons Joseph said here on Monday.
The government will file a special petition in the Supreme Court in this regard, with senior advocate Mohan V Kattarki appointed as the lead counsel.
Keralam will also seek the Centre’s active intervention to resolve its long-standing dispute with Tamil Nadu over the dam, the minister told a press conference here.
On the Baby Dam issue, the state has already informed the Apex Court that it has complied with the conditions laid down by it, he added.
The minister also announced a broader effort to overhaul the Water Resources Department and the Kerala Water Authority, with a focus on improving drinking water supply, irrigation facilities and the management of water resources across the state.
Joseph said the government would formulate a comprehensive water policy by bringing the various wings of the Water Resources Department under a common framework. The policy is expected to be announced in early 2027.
“The aim is to make the Water Resources Department and the Water Authority more people-friendly and efficient,” the minister said.
As part of the exercise, a Keralam Water Conclave will be held in Thiruvananthapuram in the first week of December. Experts, including international disaster management specialist Muralee Thummarukudy, are expected to participate in the discussions.
One of the immediate priorities is to reduce the huge loss of drinking water in the state capital. Nearly half of the water pumped from Aruvikkara is lost before reaching consumers, according to the minister.
A pilot project using new technology will be launched to identify the reasons for the loss and plug leakages. If successful, the technology will be extended to other parts of the state.
The government is also exploring the possibility of setting up desalination plants along the coast to convert seawater into drinking water.
In another initiative, foreign technologies will be studied to process the massive growth of water hyacinth in Kuttanad and Upper Kuttanad and turn it into useful, value-added products. An expert committee has been formed to examine the proposals and recommend suitable measures.
Joseph said the government also plans to turn dam sites and canal networks into tourism destinations by improving their facilities and making better use of the land under the Irrigation Department and the Water Authority.
“Dam and canal renovation will be taken up as a separate project,” the minister said.
The plan includes repairing canals, improving their surroundings and developing suitable stretches as part of irrigation tourism. Water tank premises, dam sites and other department-owned properties will also be renovated and maintained for public use.
The closed Malampuzha garden will be renovated and reopened at the earliest. The government will also complete asset mapping of departmental land within six months to identify encroachments and prevent government properties from being lost. Action will be taken against encroachments, the minister said.
As part of dam safety measures, a comprehensive assessment of 22 dams under the Irrigation Department and the Water Authority will be completed by December 31.
He said steps are also being taken to speed up the Jal Jeevan Mission projects. The state will hold discussions with the Union Jal Shakti Ministry to secure nearly Rs 8,000 crore due from the Centre.
A substantial portion of the pending payments to contractors has already been cleared using a Rs 7,000-crore loan from NABARD.
The government will implement a Rs 4,000-crore coastal protection project with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. Apart from the ongoing projects at Chellanam and Pozhiyoor, 10 major coastal hotspots have been identified for protection.
The restoration of Shanghumugham Beach in Thiruvananthapuram is also being considered, he said.
(PTI News)
