Old dam can be retained with the new

KOCHI: In all the hullabaloo about whether a new dam should be built on the Mullaperiyar river, there is one person who has come up with an interesting suggestion. Kurian Mathew, the Empanelled Mediator of the High Court of Kerala cites a case study for comparison.The Old Croton Dam, the first masonry dam in the USA is one of the historic dams at Cortland, Westchester County built between 1837 and 1842. When the new dam was constructed in 1906, the old dam was retained. When the reservoir is full, the old dam is submerged to 34 ft. and the dam remains intact even after 170 years.“If a new dam is built in Mullaperiyar, the old one can be retained,” says Mathew. “Water can be collected between the old and the new dam. The pressure of water on the dam from one side is countered by the water load on the opposite side. And it will eradicate issues of seepage and destruction due to water load and earthquake.”Thus, since the old dam exists, technically, the old Periyar lease deed can continue to be followed. “And all the safety fears can be addressed at one go,” says Kurian. While considering the Kerala government's stance, Irrigation Department chief engineer P Lathika says, “The final decision is with the Supreme Court. I think the new dam with new lease is what is favourable for our state as Kerala is spending the money. From 70s TN has been giving the same amount of money as fees even though they are getting more amount of water,” she adds.“Even in this matter, there is a clause in the lease deed ie, that for every 30 years with the central government's intervention, the deed amount can be raised,” says Kurian. Thus the problem is not about the money but the willingness to accept the real facts and find out a solution.