IDUKKI DAM
(ഇടുക്കി അണക്കെട്ട്)
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.The possibility of Hydroelecric development
at Idukki was first conceived in 1919. As per history Shri Kolumban, the head
of 'Araya' 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.
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| ഡാമിന്റെ കവാടത്തില് കൊലുമ്പന് എന്ന ആദിവാസി ഗോത്രത്തലവന്റെ പ്രതിമ.. ഈ അണക്കെട്ടിന്റെ ആശയശില്പി അദ്ദേഹമാണെന്ന് പറയാം. |
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.
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| രാമക്കല്മേട്ടിലെ കുറവന് കുറത്തി പ്രതിമ |
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.The Idukki Dam, located in Kerala,
India, is a 168.91 m (554 ft) tall arch dam. The dam stands between the two
mountains - Kuravanmala (839)m and Kurathimala (925) m. It was constructed and
is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW
hydroelectric power station inMoolamattom.
It is built on the Periyar River, in the ravine between the
Kuravan and Kurathi Hills in Kerala, India. At 167.68 metres, it is one of the
highest arch dams in Asia and third tallest arch dam. It started generating
power on 4 October 1975.[1] Technically, the dam type is a concrete double,
curvature parabolic, thin arc damThis dam was constructed along with two other
dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams have created an
artificial lake that is 60 km² in area. The stored water is used to produce
electricity at the Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby
rocky caves. The Government of Canada aided in the building of the dam with
long term loans and grantsThe idea of constructing a dam for power generation
was first conceived in 1919. As per history, Shri Kolumban, the head of 'Araya'
race during 1922, showed the way to the Malankara Estate Superintendent and his
friend AC Thomas Edattu, 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. Mr.
Thomas was impressed by the sight of water flow between the mountains and it
was his idea that has materialized in the form of Idukki Arch Dam. Sri. W.J.John
of Malankara Estate submitted a report to the Government of Travancore in 1932
on the possibility of constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation.
In 1947, a preliminary investigation report was prepared and
submitted by Sri. P.D. Joseph John, the then Chief Electrical Engineer to the
Government of Travancore. It was during 1956 that the Central Water Commission
conducted a detailed investigation based on the Government's request. 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 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 4 October
1975. Commercial operation of the Power Station was Commissioned on 12 February
1976 by the then Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. 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.Construction of this Arch Dam and two
other dams at Cheruthony and Kulamavu has created an artificial lake of 60 km2
width and the water stored is utilized for production of electricity at the
unique Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside the rocky caves.
Idukki Dam is 554 feet tall, constructed between the two
mountains - Kuravanmala (839 meters) and Kurathimala (925 meters ). This
project is situated in Idukki District and its underground power house is
located at Moolamattom which is about 43 km from the dam.Twice in the past, the
shutters had to be opened; during the northeast monsoon (October to December)
on both occasions. The first time was in 1981 (when the shutters were
repeatedly opened and shut between October 29 and November 13) and the second
time was in 1992 (when they were kept open for 12 days from October 12 to 23).
On both occasions, the water level in the dam touched the brim only when the
storage built up during the southwest monsoon (June to September) was augmented
by the inflow received immediately afterwards following heavy downpour early in
the northeast monsoon. The Project harnesses a major portion of the power
potential of Periyar, the largest river in Kerala, 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
Moolamattom. The installed capacity of the Power House is 780MW consisting of 6
Units of Pelton-type turbines with a power generation capacity of 130 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.IrrigationThe
tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel is
diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.
Tourist destination and attraction
Earlier, there was a blanket ban on public entry in to the
dam due to security reasons. Later, it was relaxed opening the dam for public
for 10 days during the Onam and the Christmas seasons. The duration has been
increased to one month since last year. Cameras and cell phones are not allowed
inside the dam area. The entry fee is Rs.10 for adults and Rs.5 for children.
The fee for 15-minute boating service for five persons is Rs. 600Idukki valley
is 121 km away from Kottayam, and is a small hill town surrounded by a spread
of beautiful, wooden valleys and meandering streams. Idukki is a well known
tourist center in Kerala.The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary extends over the
Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola taluks of Idukki district, spread over 77 km2 and
is about 450 – 748 m above sea level. The Idukki Reservoir formed by three dams
- Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu - extends to 33 km2. One can find Elephants,
bisons, sambars deers, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars etc. and
variety of Snakes like Cobra, viper, krait and a number of non poisonous snakes
in this Sanctuary. The birds of Idukki are Jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush,
black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher etc.
Prof. John Kurakar
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