IDUKKI DAM

                       

  The idea of constructing a dam for power generation was first conceived in 1919. As per history, Sri.Kolumban, the head of Oorali race during 1992, 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. Mr. Thomas was impressed by the sight of water flow between the mountains and it was his idea that has materialised 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. Later in 1937 at the instance of the government two Italian engineers Mr. Angelo Omedeo and Mr.Claudeo Marcelle studied the scheme from the record. They suggested in addition to the dam across Periyar at Idukki a second dam across the Cheruthony, beyond the ridge dividing Periyar and Cheruthony at Idukki.

            
   Sir.P Joseph John, former electrical engineer of the Travancore state made a preliminary study of the scheme put forward by W.J.John. He submitted a preliminary investigation report to the government in 1947. The detailed investigation of the project was entrusted with the central water and power commission. The work started in 1957.

     
       The planning commission has sanction in January 1963 for the implementation of the project was envisaged in central water and power commission. In 1963 the primary works were started. The Canadian high commission expressed the desire to finance Idukki project to undertake this under the auspices of the Canadian engineers, Surveyer, Nenniger and Chenvert came here on behalf of the Canadian government.  

   The construction of this Dam    commenced on April 1961 under the guidance of several       engineers like Sri. C.V Mathew. 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 the Hon. Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi.