Kochi: A comprehensive safety evaluation of the Mullaperiyar dam began on Tuesday, with an expert panel starting a detailed assessment of the 130 year old structure in Kerala's Idukki district.
The evaluation will examine the dam's structural, hydrological and seismic safety. The panel is headed by former National Hydroelectric Power Corporation chairman and managing director Balraj Joshi.
Professor M L Sharma of IIT Roorkee, former Odisha Water Resources Department official Ashutosh Dash, former NHPC executive director Gopal Dhawan and former Ganga Flood Control Commission chairman N Sivakumar are among the experts identified as members of the panel.
The panel arrived in the Thekkady area and was scheduled to proceed towards Vallakadavu for the field assessment. The evaluation is expected to continue for four days, with a final report due within four months.
James Wilson, an adviser to the Kerala government on interstate water disputes, and irrigation chief engineer R Priyesh are expected to represent Kerala during the assessment.
The evaluation follows an April 8, 2022 order of the Supreme Court and is being carried out under the framework of the Dam Safety Act, 2021. It is intended to provide a fresh technical assessment of the condition and safety of the dam.
The exercise comes as Kerala and Tamil Nadu remain divided over the future of the dam and the level of water that can safely be stored in its reservoir.
Tamil Nadu has recently renewed its push for a higher water level. In its state budget presented in August, Finance Minister N Marie Wilson said the government would pursue administrative and legal measures to raise the water level from 142 feet to 152 feet.
Kerala has opposed any increase beyond 142 feet and has continued to raise concerns about the safety of the ageing dam. The state has also supported the construction of a new dam.
The dispute over the water level has a long legal history. The Supreme Court's 2014 judgment allowed the reservoir level to be raised to 142 feet after considering the findings of an expert committee that had examined the dam.
The court had earlier dealt with the issue of raising the level to 152 feet after strengthening work. However, the current safety evaluation has not yet produced any finding on whether the dam can safely operate at a higher level.
Mullaperiyar dam was completed in 1895. It is located in Kerala but is operated and maintained by Tamil Nadu under the arrangements governing the use of the dam and its water.
Tamil Nadu uses water from the reservoir for several districts in the state and has consistently argued that the existing dam is safe. Kerala, meanwhile, has sought a replacement dam because of concerns about the safety of the ageing structure and the communities living downstream.
In August, Kerala Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan proposed that Kerala would pay the full cost of constructing a new dam. He said Tamil Nadu could decide its design, construction and location and would continue to receive its share of water.
Tamil Nadu has continued to support the existing dam and has maintained its position on strengthening the structure and increasing the water level.
The dam has undergone several inspections in recent years. In May 2026, a sub monitoring committee led by National Dam Safety Authority South Regional Director R Giridharan inspected the structure.
The inspection covered water inflow, seepage, the operation of the dam's shutters, seismic instruments and gallery areas. The committee later said the dam remained structurally strong based on its observations.
An underwater assessment was also carried out in December 2025 using a remotely operated vehicle. That assessment was separate from the broader safety evaluation that began on Tuesday.
The expert panel was also reconstituted earlier this year. In June, Professor M L Sharma replaced T K Sivarajan as a member. The change led to objections from Kerala, which sought representation in the evaluation process.
The outcome of the latest assessment is expected to play an important role in the continuing dispute between Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
For now, no new finding has been issued on the overall safety of the dam or on the proposed 152 foot water level. The expert panel is expected to submit its report within four months.