In Brief
A public-spirited person sought an order to decommission or reassess the Mullaperiyar Dam, citing age and safety concerns. The Court confirmed that technical assessments had established the dam's structural, hydrological, and seismic safety. However, recognizing genuine public fear among downstream residents, the Court held that adequate disaster management preparedness was required under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. It directed the Central Government and States of Tamil Nadu and Kerala to constitute separate sub-committees to monitor disaster preparedness specifically for the dam. The orders were intended to provide concrete reassurance and protection of citizens' life and liberty through substantive preparedness measures, not to cast doubt on the dam's structural integrity."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.