The Idukki Dam on the Periyar River in Idukki district of Kerala stands 168.91 metres or 554 feet tall. As the River Periyar flows through the narrow gorge between two hills; Kuravanmala  and Kurathimala, the Idukki Arch Dam built between these two hills obstructs its flow.

Although envisaged in the pre independence era, the project was finally planned and commenced in 1969 and was completed by 1973 when the water in the Idukki Reservoir began to be filled. Two other dams; Cheruthoni and Kulamavu were also built on the Periyar in the vicinity to create a common Reservoir covering an area of 60 square Kms. The Idukki Dam is the tallest Arch Dam in Asia and the third tallest in the world. In theory, Idukky dam can be described as concrete double, curvature parabolic, thin arc dam.

The Idukki dam and the other two dams, Cheruthoni and Kulamavu dams were constructed and owned by the Kerala State Electricity Board and produce 780 MW hydroelectric power at Moolamattom Power House which is a unique underground power generating station located at Moolamattom in Muvattupuzha Valley 43 kms away from the Dam.

The Idukki dam and the Idukki Hydro Electric Project were aided with grants and long term loans as well as technical support by the Government of Canada.

Purpose

There were three major objectives for the creation of the Idukki Dam and the two subsidiary dams; Power Generation, Irrigation and helping Tourism by creating a unique tourist destination. It is heartening to see that the Project has been able to fulfill all the three objectives.

Power

The Project that consists of the Idukki Dam and two subsidiary dams, the Idukki Reservoir and the  Moolamattom Power House together harness maximum potential of Periyar to produce electricity. The Idukki Reservoir spread over an area of 60 square kms has a capacity to hold 2,000 M.cum (2 Billion Tonnes) of water.  The water which is collected in the Reservoir is diverted by means of an underground water conducting system which consists of a power tunnel and two underground pressure shafts to the underground the Moolamattom Power House in Muvattupuzha Valley 43 kms away producing hydro electric power. The fall of the water of about 2200 ft from the high reservoir to the lower power house creates the force which generates the power.

Irrigation

Idukki Irrigation Project utilizes the tail water that flows to Kudayathurpuzha through an underground tunnel and open channel for irrigation in the Muvattupuzha Valley and the surrounding areas.

Tourist destination and attraction

 Idukki Valley that houses the Idukki dam, the Idukki Reservoir and the Idukki  Wild Life Sanctuary is a picturesque  valley that is endowed with exquisite natural beauty and attracts large number of tourists.

Get IN

Idukky is connected to the rest of India and also the world by air, by rail and by road. Domestic and international tourists can reach Idukky Dam, the Reservoir and the Idukky Wild Life Sanctuary by flying to Cochin and then taking the road route by bus or private cars and taxis.

Nearest Airport

Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery is approximately 90kms away. The airport has domestic connections to all major cities of India and international connections to the Middles east and the Far East. All facilities required by tourists are available at the Airport and there are hotels and guest houses of all grades in the area surrounding the airport and in Kochi city which is only 30 kms away.

Nearest Railhead

The nearest large station where major trains of the Southern Railway halt, is Kottayam Railway Station which is about 75 kms away. Ernakulam Junction is 85 kms away and Aluva Railway Station is 80 kms away.

Road Connectivity

The Kochi-Madurai, NH 49 passes through Idukki district. Thodupuzha, at major town in the district, is well connected with other parts of the district and the state by state highways SH44 and SH43. KSRTC and Private Buses are often available from Thodupuzha from where you can get private taxis and cars on hire.

Distance from Idukki Dam to places in Kerala

SEE

The Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

The Idukki Wild Life Sanctuary is spread over two taluks of Idukki district ; Thodupuzha and Udumbanchola. The area covered is well over 77 square kms of natural forests teeming with wild life.and lies about 450 to 748 metres above sea level. There are elephants, bisons, sambar deer, wild dogs, jungle cats, tigers, wild boar etc. and reptiles such as cobra, viper, krait and number of non poisonous snakes. Birds found here are the jungle fowl, myna, laughing thrush, black bulbul, peafowl, woodpecker, kingfisher etc.

Other places that are of tourist interest are Adimali which is only 38 kms away has many spice plantations and a picturesque waterfall.

Cheeyappara Waterfalls that offer a beautiful sight are 48 kms away. You can see the water gushing down in seven separate steps of this scenic waterfall.

Malankara Lake On the way from Idukki Dam to the Moolamattom Power Station about 50 kms away is a beautiful lake; Malankara Lake covering 11 square kms area that is formed by the Malankara dam.

Munnar is a picturesque hill station on the southern slopes of the Western Ghats in Idukki District only 50 kms away from Idukki dam. It is situated on the confluence of three rivers; Kundala; Mudrapuzha and Nallathanni. The surrounding hills of this hill station are covered with tea plantations.