The Mullaperiyar dam, built in 1895 across the Periyar River in Kerala’s Idukki district, is operated by Tamil Nadu under a lease agreement. It has long been a point of contention with Kerala citing safety concerns due to its age and seismic vulnerability, and Tamil Nadu emphasising its importance for irrigation and drinking water supply to several southern districts.

Senior advocate V Giri, appearing for the petitioner, submitted that the aging dam poses a serious threat to the lives and property of nearly 10 million people living downstream in Kerala and urged that the Court direct the construction of a new dam to ensure public safety.

The PIL has named the Centre, the Tamil Nadu and Kerala governments and the National Disaster Management Authority as respondents.