Our Wonderful Experiences with Idukki Dam, the Biggest Arch Dam of Asia

Really I am very happy and proud of sharing with all of you our wonderful sweet experiences with Idukki Dam that we got when we had visited there last year. The Giant Idukki Dam is situated in Idukki district of Kerala, the God's own country, in India. It is at about 60 km away from our native place Cumbum, Theni District, Tamil Nadu, India. Fortunately we got an idea of getting there on the first week of January 2007 to fulfill the desire of our Malaysia friend. On the early morning we the group of family members with relatives and friends in number 7 started our move to the Idukki Dam by our car. We have to climb up the Western Ghats towering about 1,200 meter above sea level on the way to reach the Dam. The foot of hill is very near to our native place. And most of the distance of our journey was covered by the Ghat roads, Green woods, Cardamom estates and Kerala villages of wonderful scenic beauties. As it had been the post winter we felt little bit cold when we reached the top of the hills. After 2 hours journey we reached safe the Dam top of Idukki Dam.

Chill climate, Enjoyable silence, Bracing wind and the Pleasant smell of flowers combined together to add our pleasure at that morning time. There we finished our breakfast which we had already brought with us. The Dam security at the gate told us that that was the out pass of the visitors and the same person gave an idea of going to Cheruthoni Dam which has been built adjacent to the Idukki Dam to get the pass to get into the Dam. Then we climbed down by our car and again up to reach the top of Cheruthoni Dam Which lies about 7 km away by road. But the actual distance between the outer ends of the two Dams comes as 2.5 km. There we were charged Rs.10/- per head to enter the dam after the tight personal checkup to ensure the safety of the Dam. We were also informed about the availability of speed boat riding, Rs.50/- per head, on the water surface of the dam. But we preferred walking rather than riding on boats.

Amazing Experiences of Walking along the road on the top of the Dams

We enjoyed our privacy as we were only persons visited the Dam on that day except a honeymoon couple. When we walked along the road on the top of Cheruthoni Dam, we could enjoy the amazing and complete view of the huge mass of stored water on the backside of the Dam. The maximum length of the water surface is about 25 km and breadth is about 4 km. We could enjoy Chill wind and spectacular view of the water surface when we walked along the Cheruthoni Dam top. On the front side we can view the beautiful valley of green woods, colorful flowers and outflow stream of water from the Dam.

Cheruthoni Dam is 450 foot high and the length is about 2,300 foot. After coming to the end of the Dam we continued our walking along a properly fenced road, with the tight security, that leads to Idukki Dam. Our driver went back to the in-pass to bring back our car to the out pass where we had had our breakfast. After enjoying a peaceful walking we reached Idukki Dam. The 560 foot vertical height brought a thrilling experience and wonderful view from where we could enjoy a spectacular view of greens, woods and housings lying below the Dam. The length of the Idukki Dam is about 1,500 feet and dam wall breadth is about 35 feet.

We came back to our home after finishing lunch and shopping at Kattappana, a beautiful Kerala town, which lies on our way to our native place.

Location and Geography of the Idukki Dam

Idukki Dam is located in Idukki District of Kerala, India. It was built on the River Periyar in the ravine between Kuravan and Kurathi hills. With a gigantic height of 560 feet and length of about 1500 feet it proudly stands as the second biggest Arch Dam of Asia. It is also supported by other two Dams namely Cheruthoni and Kulamavu Dam. The total water surface area of the Dam is about 75 sq.km and maximum depth of water is 450 feet. The height of Cheruthoni Dam is 450 feet and has length of 2,300 feet. The total distance between the outer points of the two Dams is about 3.5 km. The dam is elevated at 850 m above sea level.

The History of Idukki Dam and it's Hydro Electric Power Project

The possibility of Hydroelectric development was first conceived in 1919. As per history Shri Kolumban the head of 'Araya' race accompanied his friend, Thomas, Malankara Estate Superintendent, on hunting spree in the forest and told him of the legend of Kuravan, Kurathi hills, the spot of present Arch Dam. The mind of Thomas was then stirred by the sight of water flow between the mountains and his idea made the dream of constructing Idukki Arch Dam true.

Shri W.J.John of Malankara Estate submitted a report to the Government of Trivancore in 1932 on the possibility of constructing a dam at Idukki for power generation. In 1947, Shri P.Joseph John, the Chief Electrical Engineer to the Government of Trivancore 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 the sanction for implementing the scheme in 1963 and the preliminary works of the project were started. The project was posed for the Canadian aid and it's scope was enlarged and revised project was drawn up in 1956 - 66.

The construction of this Dam was commenced on 30 th April 1969. The storage of water in the Idukki reservoir commenced in February ,1973. The inauguration of trial run of the first unit was celebrated on 4 th October, 1975. The commercial operation of Hydro-power station was commissioned on 12 th February, 1976 by the then Honorable Prime Minister of India, Smt.Indira Gandhi.

The Government of Canada aided the Project. The Project harnesses a major power potential of River Periyar, the largest river in the Kerala state. Idukki and it's supported Dams Cheruthony and Kulamavu are creating a large reservoir in area of about 75 sq. km and the water is directed through power tunnel and two underground pressure shafts to an Under Ground Power Staion situated in Muvathupuzha valley. The capacity of the installed Power House is 780 MW / day consisting of 6 units of 130 MW each. The Potential Head of the project is about 2,500 feet.

Getting there

From Madurai in Tamilnadu we can fetch many buses going to Kumuli, one of the important tourist centres of Kerala. From Kumuli we can find many buses for Idukki Dam or Kattappana which connects our goal. Being surrounded by Hills and Green woods Kattappana is a worthy place to stay before we reaching the Idukki Dam. It is the beautiful town noted for cleanliness and attractive shoppings.