into the Bay of Bengal was diverted westwards to flow towards the Arabian Sea to provide water to the arid rain shadow region of Madurai in Madras Presidency which was in dire need of a greater supply than the small Vaigai River could give . The dam created the Periyar Thekkady reservoir , from which water was diverted eastwards to via a tunnel to augment the small flow of the Vaigai River . The Vaigai was dammed by the Vaigai Dam to provide a source for irrigating large tracts around Madurai . Initially the dam waters were used only for the irrigation of 68,558 ha ( 169,411 acres ). Later , the Periyar Power Station in the lower Periyar , Tamil Nadu was built which generates hydro-electricity from the diverted watersl . Currently , the water from the Periyar ( Thekkadi ) Lake created by the dam , is diverted through the water shed cutting and a subterranean tunnel to Forebay Dam near Kumili ( Errachipalam ) in Tamil Nadu . From Forebay dam , hydel pipe lines carry the water to the Periyar Power Station in Lower Periyar , Tamil Nadu . This is used for power generation ( 175 MW capacity ) in the Periyar Power Station . The Lower Periyar Power Station was constructed in 1956 . From the Periyar Power Station , the water is let out into Vairavanar river and then to Suruliyar and from Suruliyar to Vaigai Dam .
The Supreme Court of India notwithstanding Tamil Nadu Government ’ s objections has gone ahead and established a empowered committee headed by Justice A S Anand who is hearing the two side ’ s arguments and counter – arguments , The Central Government has extended the term of this committee , which was to end earlier , to April 30 , 2012 . Kerala Government on its part opposes the raising the level of water in Mullaperiyar dam on safety concerns , earlier the Tamil Nadu Government had proposed to raise the level of water to 147 meters . For every argument which the Tamil Nadu government has put forward there is equal and convincing counter-argument against it .
It is relevant to re-collect here that the Tamil Nadu Government cannot acknowledge that it continues to depend on the natural resources of another state , detriment to the other state ’ s needs , basing its claim on an archaic agreement when Indian states , as federal units , never existed . Also the Kerala Government on its part , cannot afford to acknowledge the crucial irrigation and power supply source the Mullaperiyar Dam is to the people of Madurai , Sivaganga , Theni and Ramnad districts in Tamil Nadu .
Given the apparent quagmire the two units of Indian Union are faced with , It is relevant that the Union Government look at possibility of permanently linking the Rivers Periyar and Vaigai River through Vaippar and Pamba streams . Modern engineering makes this possible in shortest possible time with economical means possible . The endeavor would definitely be the first , decisive step towards ensuring the concerns of both sides would be acknowledged and addressed simultaneously . The Linking of the rivers would require the possible destruction of dams , uprooting of livelihoods and resettlement and rehabilitation expenditure will be enormous , never be miserly with it . The