Idukki Dam

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Idukki Dam
Idukki013.jpg
India Kerala relief map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location of Idukki Dam in Kerala
Country India
Location Idukki, Kerala
Coordinates 9°50′34″N76°58′34″E / 9.84278°N 76.97611°E / 9.84278; 76.97611
PurposePower generation
StatusOperational
Construction began1963
Opening date1976
(48 years ago)
 (1976)
Owner(s) Kerala State Electricity Board
Dam and spillways
Type of dam Concrete, double curvature parabolic, thin arch.
Impounds Periyar River
Height168.91 m (554 ft)
Height (foundation)169.16 meters
Length365.85 m (1,200 ft)
Dam volume450,000 m3 (16,000,000 cu ft)
Spillways Nil
Reservoir
Total capacity1.996 km3 (70.5 tmc ft)
Active capacity1,460×10^6 m3 (1,183,641 acre⋅ft) (51.57 tmc ft)
Inactive capacity536×10^6 m3 (434,542 acre⋅ft) (18.93 tmc ft)
Catchment area 649.3 km2 (251 sq mi)
Surface area60 km2 (23 sq mi)
Normal elevation732.62 m (2,404 ft)
Power Station
Commission date1975
Turbines 6 x 130 MW Pelton-type
Installed capacity 780 MW
Idukki Arch Dam Site prior to construction IdukkiDamSite.jpg
Idukki Arch Dam Site prior to construction

The Idukki Dam is a double-curvature arch dam constructed across the Periyar River in a narrow gorge between two granite hills locally known as Kuravan and Kurathi in Idukki district in the state of Kerala, India. It is constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. It supports a 780 MW hydroelectric power station in Moolamattom, which started generating power on 4 October 1975. [1] At 168.91 metres (554.2 ft), it is one of the highest arch dams in Asia. The Indo-Canadian project was inaugurated by the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on February 17, 1976. [2]

Contents

This dam was constructed along with two other dams at Cheruthoni and Kulamavu. Together, the three dams and Two saddle dams, Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Near Junction) and Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Right Bank) have created an artificial lake that is 60 km2 (23 sq mi) in area. The stored water is used to produce electricity at the Moolamattom Power house, which is located inside nearby rocky caves. [1]

Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir .

Idukki reservoir from Mount Calvary (dam beyond right edge) Idukki Reservoir Pano Calvary Mount Kerala Mar22 A7C 01220-23 Pano.jpg
Idukki reservoir from Mount Calvary (dam beyond right edge)

History

Early surveys

The idea of constructing a dam for power generation was first conceived in 1919 in a report submitted by Italian engineer Jacob to the Travancore government, which was rejected. As per history, Shri Chemban Karuvellayan Kolumban,the head of 'Oorali' tribe during 1922, showed the way to the Malankara Estate Superintendent W.J.John and his friend AC Thomas Edattu, who were on hunting trip to forests near the present Arch Dam. Upon hearing the legend of Kuravan and Kurathi Hills, Thomas impressed by the sight of water flow between the mountains; suggested the spot suitable for an Arch dam. [3] In 1932, W.J.John submitted a report to the Government of Travancore on the possibility of constructing a dam at Idukki for Power Generation. [4] In 1935, assembly member Shri.K.A.Narayana Pillai brought the Idukki project to the attention of Government of Travancore. Italian engineers Angelo Omedayo and Clantheyo Masele conducted a study in 1937 but things didn't go forward.

In 1947, a preliminary investigation report was prepared and submitted by Sri. P. Joseph John, then The 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. In 1964, under the leadership of Sri. E.U.Philipose, Superintending Engineer, preliminary works of the project were started.[ citation needed ]

Construction

IdukkiDamConcaveSide.jpg

The construction of this Dam commenced on 30 April 1969. The project led by Dr.D.Babu Paul IAS, who appointed as Project Coordinator, Idukki Hydel Project & District Collector with several engineers like Sri. C.V Mathews, Sri. M. Ramachandran, (Retired Chief Engineers, Kerala State Electricity Board) . The Government of Canada aided the Project with long-term loans and grants. SNC-Lavalin, Canada, a well-known firm of Consulting Engineers were advising and assisting Project Engineers under Canadian aid, while Hindustan Construction Company (a.k.a. HCC) of Walchand group won the bid for construction. [5]

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 Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. [6]

Features

E.U. Philipose, Superintending Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board, in charge of the initial project work, with visiting Canadian Government dignitary, Mr and Mrs Fred Willows. WillowsPhilipose.jpg
E.U. Philipose, Superintending Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board, in charge of the initial project work, with visiting Canadian Government dignitary, Mr and Mrs Fred Willows.
Tribal Chief, Chemban Vellayan Kolumban who pointed out Idukki arch dam site with Canadian Government dignitary Fred Willows KolumbanIdukkiDamSite.jpg
Tribal Chief, Chemban Vellayan Kolumban who pointed out Idukki arch dam site with Canadian Government dignitary Fred Willows

The Idukki Dam is 168.91 m (554.2 ft) tall, constructed between two mountains, Kuravanmala (839 m (2,753 ft)) and Kurathimala (925 m (3,035 ft)). The length of the dam on its top is 365.85 m (1,200.3 ft). It has a width of 7.62 m (25.0 ft) at the top and 19.81 m (65.0 ft) at the bottom. The gross storage capacity of the dam is 1.996 cubic kms (70.50 tmc ft). About 464,000 m3 (16,400,000 cu ft) of concrete was used in the construction of the dam. This project is situated in Idukki District and its underground power house is located at Moolamattom which is about 43 km (27 mi) from the dam. It is notable that the Idukki arch dam does not have any shutters. The reservoir water level is maintained by the shutters in the Cheruthoni dam. [7]

Usage

Idukki Dam
Dams in the Periyar basin

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 (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 780 MW 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 m (2,196 ft) while generating power in the underground power house. The generated power is given to two sub stations. One double circuit line to Kalamassery; one single circuit line to Tamil Nadu; One single circuit line to Pallom, 3 feeder bays for future. [7]

Irrigation

The tail waters flowing to Kudayathurpuzha through tunnel and open channel is diverted for irrigation purposes in the Muvattupuzha Valley.

Tourism

Earlier, there was a blanket ban on public entry 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. 25 for adults and Rs. 5 for children. The fee for 15-minute boating service for five persons is Rs. 600. [8]

Idukki valley is 121 km (75 mi) away from Kottayam, and is a small hill town surrounded by a spread of beautiful, wooded 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 km (48 mi) and is about 450–748 m (1,476–2,454 ft) above sea level. The Idukki Reservoir formed by three dams - Cheruthoni, Idukki and Kulamavu - extends to 33 km (21 mi). One can find elephants, bisons, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boars etc. and a variety of snakes like cobra, viper, krait and a number of non-venomous snakes. The birds of Idukki are Jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher, eagle etc. [9]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Idukki district</span> District in Kerala, India

Idukki is one of the 14 districts in the Indian state of Kerala in the southwest of the country. It is the largest district in Kerala and lies amid the Cardamom Hills of Western Ghats in Kerala. Idukki district contains two municipal towns – Kattappana and Thodupuzha, and five taluks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Periyar River</span> River in Kerala, India

Periyar, IPA:[peɾijɐːr], is the longest river and the river with the largest discharge potential in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of the few perennial rivers in the region and provides drinking water for several major towns. The Periyar is of utmost significance to the economy of Kerala. It generates a significant proportion of Kerala's electrical power via the Idukki Dam and flows along a region of industrial and commercial activity. The river also provides water for irrigation and domestic use throughout its course besides supporting a rich fishery. Due to these reasons, the river has been named the "Lifeline of Kerala". Kochi city, in the vicinity of the river mouth, draws its water supply from Aluva, an upstream site sufficiently free of seawater intrusion. Twenty five percent of Kerala's industries are along the banks of the Periyar. These are mostly crowded within a stretch of 5 kilometres (3 mi) in the Eloor-Edayar region (Udhyogamandal), about 10 kilometres (6 mi) north of Kochi harbor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheruthoni</span> Village in Kerala, India

Cheruthoni is a town on the banks of Cheruthoni River, a major tributary of the Periyar River, the second longest river in Kerala state, in southwestern India. The area is known by Cheruthoni Dam, which is a part of Idukki reservoir, which provide hydroelectric power to the region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ponmudi Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

The Ponmudi Dam is a concrete gravity dam built across the Panniyar river which is a tributary of Periyar river at Konnathady panchayath of Konnathadi village in Idukki district of Kerala, India. The dam was constructed in 1963 as a part of a hydroelectric project. Construction was led by E.U.Philipose, Superintending Engineer, Kerala State Electricity Board. It has a length of 288.80 metres (947.5 ft). The hydropower component of the dam has an installed capacity of 30 MW with firm power of 17 MW, generating 158 GWh annually. Taluks through which the river flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.

Kuravanmala is a location in Idukki district, Kerala, India. It is the location of the Idukki Dam.

Moolamattom is the headquarters of Arakulam Panchayath in Thodupuzha Taluk, Idukki district in Kerala, India. It lies 22 km from Thodupuzha, on the banks of the Thodupuzha River, a tributary of the Muvattupuzha river. Moolamattom is famous for India's second largest underground hydroelectric power station - Moolamattom hydro power station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cheruthoni Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

The Cheruthoni Dam, located in Idukki District, Kerala, India, is a 138m tall concrete gravity dam. Preliminary work on this project was initiated under the leadership of Superintending Engineer, E.U.Philipose. This dam was constructed in 1976 as part of the Idukki Hydroelectric Project along with two other dams Idukki and Kulamavu. The Canadian government aided the project with long-term loans and grants. The dam was constructed by HCC and the consultant was S.N.C. Inc., Canada,

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Malankara Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Malankara dam is a gravity dam constructed across Thodupuzha river for irrigation purposes. The dam is constructed to make use of the tail water from the Moolamattom power house. The project is run under the Muvattupuzha Valley Irrigation Project and KSEB. The artificial lake covers an area of around 11 square km.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kulamavu Dam</span> Dam in Idukki, Kerala

Kulamavu Dam is a gravity/masonry dam on Kilivillithode, which is a tributary of the Periyar river in Arakkulam village, Idukki district in the Indian state of Kerala. It is one of three dams associated with the Idukki hydroelectric power project in the Indian state of Kerala. This dam is located towards the western side of the Idukki Arch Dam. This is a gravity dam with the top portion in concrete and the bottom in masonry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pambla Dam</span> A dam in Kerala, India

The Lower Periyar Dam is a dam built on the Periyar River as part of the Lower Periyar Hydroelectric Project in Kanjikuzhi Panchayat, Idukki District, Kerala. The dam was built to generate electricity. The lower Periyar dam is at Pambla, five kilometres downstream from where Muthirapuzha merges with main river. This 32.36-metre-high dam made of concrete has a width of 284 meters. The powerhouse is at Karimanal, near Neriamangalam, where three generators are installed with a power production capacity of 60 MW each, or a cumulative 180 MW. The Dam was completed in the year 1998 Taluks through which release flow are Idukki, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur.

Azhutha Dam is a small diversion dam built on the Azhutha River which is a tributary of the Pamba River, at Azhutha in Peerumed Grama Panchayat of Idukki District, Kerala, India. It is a small concrete gravity dam that is only 72 metres (236 ft) long and 14 metres (46 ft) high. It acts mainly as a diversion dam to supply water to the Idukki Dam. The Azhutha Dam was constructed as an augmentation dam for the Idukki Hydro Electric Project. Construction of the project started in 1987 and was expected to be commissioned in 1991, but the project overrun and was only partially commissioned in June 1998. The year of completion was 2007. The release of the water from the dam is to Azhutha river and it flows through Ranni and Ayroor taluks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kallar Dam</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Kallar Dam is a small, diversion dam constructed at Perinjamkutty river in Nedumkandam grama panchayat of Idukki district, Kerala, India. It acts mainly as a diversion dam to supply water to the Idukki dam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kallarkutty Dam</span> Dam in Kerala, India

Kallarkutty Dam is a gravity dam built on the Muthirapuzha river, a tributary of the Periyar river, as part of the Neriamangalam Hydroelectric Project at Kallarkutty in Vellathooval panchayat of Idukki district in Kerala, India. The water discharged from the Chenkulam dam's powerhouse and the Muthirapuzha river is diverted to the Neriamangalam powerhouse near Panamkutty above the Pambla dam. The Hydroelectric Project was commissioned on 27 January 1961 to generate 45 MW of power using 3 turbines with a capacity of 15 MW. In 2006, the project was upgraded from 45 MW to 52.65 MW. Taluks through which release flow are Udumbanchola, Devikulam, Idukki, Kothamangalam, Muvattupuzha, Kunnathunadu, Aluva, Kodungalloor and Paravur. The Project was led by Kerala State Electricity Board Engineer E.U. Philipose

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Viripara Weir</span> Diversion dam in Kerala, India

Viripara Weir is a Diversion weir constructed across Upper Kallar river which is a tributary of Pooyankutty river in Mankulam village of Idukki district in Kerala, India. The water flows from the dam to Menachery river and flows through the taluk of Devikulam. The Viripara weir is constructed as an augmentation scheme to Neriamangalam Hydro Electric Project. Upper Kallar, a tributary of Pooyankutty river is diverted in to Kallarkutty reservoir by a low diversion weir at Viripara along with a short diversion tunnel.

Vazhikadavu Weir is a diversion dam of concrete gravity type constructed across Meenachil River at Teekoy Village in Kottayam District in Kerala, India. The Vazhikkadavu weir is constructed as an augmentation scheme to Idukki HEP. The dam has a height of 10.20 metres (33.5 ft) from the deepest foundation and a length of 58 metres (190 ft).

Narakakkanam Weir is a diversion dam constructed across Narakakkanam River in Mariyapuram panchayath of Thankamani Village in Idukki district in Kerala, India. Narakakkanam weir is an augmentation weir for the Idukki Hydro Electric Project. Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to augment the Idukki reservoir. The height of the dam is 11.50 metres (37.7 ft) from the deepest foundation and length is 45.20 metres (148.3 ft).

Vadakkepuzha Weir is a diversion dam of Earthen type constructed across Vadakkepuzha which is a tributary of Muvattupuzha river in Arakkulam village in Idukki district of Kerala, India. Vadakkepuzha weir is a part of an augmentation scheme for the Idukki Hydro Electric Project. Narakakkanam, Azhutha, Vazhikkadavu, Vadakkepuzha and Kuttiar diversion schemes were later added to Idukki HEP to augment the reservoir. Water from the reservoir is pumped in to Idukki reservoir through a pump house with three pumps.

Kulamavu Saddle Dam (Near Junction) is one of the two saddle dams of Idukki Reservoir constructed across Kilivallithodu River which is a tributary of Periyar river at Arakkulam village in Idukki District of Kerala, India. It is a Rolled Earth filled dam with a height of 18.29 metres (60.0 ft) and a Length of 457.2 metres (1,500 ft). The road to Idukki from Thodupuzha passes over this saddle dam.

Kulamavu Saddle Dam (RIght Bank) is an Earthen Dam constructed across Kilivallithodu at Arakkulam village in Idukki District of Kerala, India. It is One of the two saddle dams constructed to augment Idukki reservoir. The dam has a height of 27.43 metres (90.0 ft) and a length of 384.96 metres (1,263.0 ft). It is a rolled earth filled dam which has no Spillways or river outlets

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pallivasal Hydro Electric Project</span> First Hydro Electric project in Kerala

Pallivasal Hydroelectric Project is the first hydroelectric project in Kerala, India. The project consists of 2 reservoirs, 2 dams, a diversion dam and a power house and is owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board. The power house of the project has been constructed at Chithirapuram in Pallivasal Gram Panchayat, Munnar, Idukki District. The first unit was inaugurated in March 1940 by the Travancore Diwan C. P. Ramaswamy Iyer. The second unit and third unit was commissioned in February 1941 and February 1942 respectively. In 1944, Ramaswamy Iyer constructed the R. A headworks dam on Muthirapuzha, a tributary of Periyar in Munnar to divert the water.

References

  1. 1 2 "Idukki Arch Dam". Idukki District Administration.
  2. "Kerala: Moolamattam power plant generates 10,000 crore units | Kochi News - Times of India". The Times of India. TNN. 13 July 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2021.
  3. Raman, Giji K. (24 December 2014). "Man who changed the course of a river". The Hindu.
  4. "Idukki Dam". keralatourism.org. Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.
  5. "Dams and Barrages". hccindia.com. Hindustan Construction Company.
  6. "The building of Idukki dam: Workers hired for project recall the struggle". 2 August 2018.
  7. 1 2 "Idukki Dam". KSEB.in. KSEB Limited Dam Safety Organisation.
  8. "Filled to its brim, Idukki dam woos tourists". The Hindu. Retrieved 21 September 2013.
  9. "Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary". keralatourism.org. Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala.