Suresh Gopi raises concerns over Mullaperiyar Dam Safety

Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Sunday voiced serious concerns about the safety of the 125-year-old Mullaperiyar Dam, questioning who would be held responsible if the dam were to collapse. Speaking at a function, the Minister of State for Petroleum, Natural Gas, and Tourism highlighted the growing anxiety among the public following the recent Wayanad landslide tragedy, which has intensified fears about the dam’s stability.

Gopi referenced a Facebook post that questioned the dam's safety, noting that the possibility of its collapse haunts him like an "idimuzhakkam" (thunderclap). He questioned whether the courts that have ordered the maintenance of the status quo or the authorities who secured such verdicts would be accountable in the event of a disaster.

Who will be answerable if the dam collapses? Will the courts take responsibility, or will those who obtained these decisions from the judiciary? Gopi asked. He emphasized that Kerala cannot afford another tragedy and urged those involved to consider the potential consequences of their actions.

The Minister’s remarks come amid ongoing concerns in Kerala about the dam’s safety, particularly in light of the Wayanad landslide, which has raised alarm about the potential for even greater disasters. While Tamil Nadu maintains that the Mullaperiyar Dam is "absolutely safe," Kerala has persistently called for the construction of a new dam to replace the aging structure, which was originally built in 1895.