The Idukki Dam, located in Kerala, India, is a 168.91 m tall arch dam. The
dam stands between the two mountains - Kuravanmalam and Kurathimala m. It was
constructed and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a
780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom.
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. Technically, the dam type is a concrete double, curvature parabolic,
thin arc dam. This 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 grants. History
The idea of constructing a dam for power generation 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 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. 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 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. Features
Idukki Dam is 554 feet tall, constructed between the two mountains - Kuravanmala
and Kurathimala. 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 on both occasions. The first time was in
1981 and the second time was in 1992. On both occasions, the water level in the
dam touched the brim only when the storage built up during the southwest
monsoon was augmented by the inflow received immediately afterwards
following heavy downpour early in the northeast monsoon.
Usage Power Generation
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 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 while generating power in the
underground power house. Irrigation
The 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. 600. Idukki 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.
Notes ^ a b "Idukki District Hydroelectric
projects". Retrieved 2007-03-12. ^ "Salient Features - Dam". Retrieved
2007-03-12. ^ Idukki
^ Hindu, The. "Countdown to Idukki dam opening begins". The Hindu. Retrieved 21
September 2013. ^ Hindu, The. "Filled to its brim,
Idukki dam woos tourists". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
External links Idukki Dam at Structurae
Idukki dam safe: Kadavoor Idukki Hydroelectric Project
Old Photos http:idukki.nic.in/dam-hist.htm