THE IDUKKI AND CHERUTHONY DAM, IDUKKI

The Second Largest Arch Dam in Asia, Build on the Periyar River, the Longest river in Kerala, Giving out electricity to run the entire Kerala.

THE IDUKKI HYDRO ELETRIC PROJECT

The Idukki Hydro Electric Project is a Collection of some 20 Small and Big Dams, 5 Rivers, a  Handful of Underground Tunnels and a Final Under ground Power Generator. The possibility of Hydroelecric development at Idukki was first conceived in 1919. As per history Shri Kolumban (See the Photo At Right), 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.

My brief notes on the Mot beautiful dams in Kerala, the

THE IDUKKI AND CHERUTHONY DAM, IDUKKI

HISTORY OF THE IDUKKI DAM

 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 possibility 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.

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.

PHOTO : THE IDUKKI ARCH DAM

Asia's biggest Arch Dam of 555 feet height proudly standing between the two mountains - 'Kuravanmala' (839 meters) and 'Kurathimala' (925 meters ).

Please If you want To use this Photograph In your Website, Get Permission First.

PHOTO CHERUTHONY DAM

It is the twin dam of Idukki arch dam, built on The Cheruthony River, At Cheruthony (Cheruthony is a Big Town).

THE MOOLAMATTOM UNDER GROUND POWER HOUSE OF IDUKKI ARCH DAM

THe underground Power House is located at Moolamattom which is about 19 kms from Thodupuzha. Idukki Dam is 43 kms away from Moolamattom.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.

DAM VIEW PARK, IDUKKI -Best Place to photograph Idukki Dam

It is a park near the Idukki dam from where you cn have a birds eye view of the Idukki Dam and The backwaters. The entry fee is 5 Rs and very few know about this park.

PHOTO GALLERY OF IDUKKI DAM AREA

HOW TO REACH IDUKKI KERALA

Idukki is about 100 Kilometers away from Cochin and is very easy to reach. There are buses very frequently and so it is very Easy to reach.

Cochin :

Have to move along the Cochin Kumily Route, There are Buses very Frequently and you have to Get down at Cheruthony to goto the dam or At Dam top (4 Kms from Cheruthony on Kattapana Kumily route) To have a Birds eye view of the Dam. (6 Hours) . Most of the buses move via Kothamangalam , The road from Kothamangalam to Idukki is very Beautiful.

Thekkady :

Have to follow the same route but in the Riverse Order.  (2 Hour). From Thekkady(Kumily) get a bus to Idukki, va Kattapana (Atleast get a bus to Kattapana and from Kattapana You Will get a lot of Buses to Idukki From Idukki Junction,) Time : Kumily Kattapana - 1- 1.5 Hour, Kattapana to Idukki 45 Mins.

Kottayam/ Kumarakom:

Move to Kumily via NH 220 from Kottayam and Follow the Idukki Route. (4 - 5 Hours). There are many routes. One is to (Easiest)  Get a Bus to Kattapana (Which is there every 15- 20 Mins)  and Then Idukki Bus from Kattapana

NB : Unfortunately Idukki is a small town and there are no Hotels / Guest houses to stay, So it is better to Stay at Cheruthony (4 Kms from Idukki) and make a visit to Idukki.

ROAD MAPS OF IDUKKI TOWN AND DAM

In the Map below, you can see the Idukki town marked in the Kerala Map. Scroll Down to See another map with the Idukki dam Backwaters and Details on Roads. Click on the Bubbles to See More Details.

STRUCTURAL DETAILS OF  IDUKKI DAM AND THE RELATED STRUCTURES

FOOTNOTES ON MY TRIPS TO IDUKKI ARCH DAM AND CHERUTHONY DAM

I have been to Idukki dam many times. With my friends during my BCA at Marian College Kuttikkanam, With My friend Jibil John who was at Idukki (He was Living near Adupara, Cheruthony ,Very near to Vimalagiri), and With Ponkunnam Zachariah, a well known Photographer.

THANKS TO

• Jibil John
• Zachariah Ponkunnam ( http://www.freshkerala.com )
• Ajosh Parackan (http://www.keralaframes.com)
• The Leaflet Published By KSEB (From which the Specifications were Written)
  
  

RELATED LINKS

• Calvery Mount From Where you can get a Panoramic View of the Idukki Dam Waters
  http://travel.peermade.info/index.php?page=94&title=Calvery%20Mount,%20Kattapana
• Structural And Technical Description of the Idukki Dam
  http://peermade.peermade.info/index.php?page=22
• Roy Mathews Website On Idukki Dam (Journalist, The Hindu)
  http://www.expert-eyes.org/deepak/idukki.html