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Seize the opportunity

Acting on the advice of the Supreme Court, the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and Kerala will meet on November 29 in an effort to find an amicable solution to the inter-State dispute over the impounding of waters in the Mullaperiyar dam. The good offices role will naturally be played by the Union Water Resources Ministry. The situation appears serious enough. Normally, the water at the dam should not rise above the 136 feet level, which it crossed this month on account of a hyperactive monsoon. Tamil Nadu is keen on more water being stored at the dam so that the irrigation needs of the Theni-Cumbum region can be met. It approached the Supreme Court and won an order permitting storage up to 142 feet. Kerala, however, passed a law to peg the level at 136 feet. In an uncertain and fairly volatile situation, the apex court tread a fine line: it refused to strike down the Kerala Act on the water level but turned down a plea to review its order allowing storage up to 142 feet. Caught in a bind, the authorities had no choice but to abide by the Kerala Act. In consequence, surplus water is being discharged through all avenues, including jungle streams and rivulets. This has caused severe damage to roads and snapped transport and communication lines in some areas.

Inter-State river water disputes have become over-politicised and virtually intractable, defying all attempts at conciliation. The upcoming meeting in New Delhi will need to beat high odds if it is to be fruitful. The safety concerns of the people of Kerala need to be addressed persuasively. The fact that Central technical experts have certified the safety and viability of raising the storage level to 142 feet will certainly help. It is best to resolve the dispute at the top political level. Two political veterans are at the helm in the disputant States and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Left parties are in the same camp. This is a congenial opportunity for the two States to go all out for a political breakthrough. The Cauvery dispute has demonstrated that Supreme Court orders alone cannot resolve a tangle where the economic and livelihood stakes are high. Orders and agreements need to be implemented by States that feel aggrieved. Against this background, the people of India will expect Chief Ministers M. Karunanidhi and V.S. Achuthanandan to put their best foot forward.

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