Dam
In the heart of the District lies the 'IDUKKI DAM' - Asia's
biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains
- 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ). This prestigeous
project of our nation is situated in Idukki District and its underground Power
House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki
Dam is 43 kms away from Moolamattom.
History
The possibility of Hydroelecric development at Idukki was
first conceived in 1919. As per history Shri Kolumban, the head of 'Oorali'
race during 1922 showed the way, to the Malankara Estate Superintendent and his
friend Thomas, who were on hunting spree in the forest, the spot of present
Arch Dam. He told them of the legend of Kuravan and Kurathi Hills. The mind of
Thomas was stirred by the sight of water flow between the mountains and his
idea made the dream true of Idukki Arch Dam. Sri. W.J.John of Malankara Estate
submitted a report to the Government of Travancore in 1932 on the possiability
of constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation.
In 1947 Sri.P.Joseph John,then Chief Electrical Engineer to
the Government of Travancore made a preliminary investigation report. On the
request made by the Government, the Central Water and Power Commission took up
detailed investigation in 1956. The project report was prepared in 1961 and the
Planning Commission accorded sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963 and
the preliminary works of the project were started.
The project was posed for Canadian aid and its scope was enlarged and a
revised project report was drawn up in 1956-66. The construction of this Dam
commenced on 30 April 1969. Storage of water in idukki reservoir commenced in
February,1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first machine was celebrated
on 4th October,1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned
on 12 February 1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.
Construction of this Arch Dam and two other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu
has created an artificial lake of 60 sq. kms. width and the water stored, is
utilised for production of electricity at the unique Moolamattom Power house,
which is located inside the rocky caves.
Foreign Aid
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The Government of Canada aided the Project with long term
loans and grants. M/s S.N.C.Inc., Canada, a well-known firm of Consulting
Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under the Canadian
Aid.
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Project in Brief
 The Project harnesses a major portion of the power potential
of Periyar, the largest river in Kerala State, by the creation of a reservoir
of 2,000 M.cum (2 Billion Tonnes) capacity, diversion of waters thus
impounded through a water conductor system consisting of a power tunnel and
two underground pressure shafts to an underground power house situated in
Muvattupuzha Valley.
The
installed capacity of the Power House is 780MW consisting of 6 Units of 180
MW each.The regulated waters of Periyar falls through a drop of about 669.2
metres (2195 feet) while generating power in the underground power house. The
tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel will
later be diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.
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