Significance of Mullaperiyar Dam

Established in 1887 and 1895 by British Government to transcend water to the eastern side of the Madras presidency area, the dam of Mullaperiyar Dam is renowned for its physical presence. Perhaps the Mansory gravity dam which is another name of the Mullaperiyar Dam is pristine not because the site is perched perfectly within the fold of Periyar, Kerala but basically the dam is celebrated for its purpose.

Although the dam is located within the periphery of the Periyar but when it comes to maintenance and management the entire call is supervised by Tamil Nadu.

Etymology

Previously the dam was renowned as Periyar dam and the basic meaning of it was to dam the Periyar River but at present the dam is popular as Mullaperiyar and when it comes to its derivation than one must understand that the confluence of Mullayar River and Periyar River are located at the site of dam.

Purpose

The flow of river Periyar which used to take a course of westward were successfully diverted into eastward to meet the water demands of the Madras presidency and while doing the same the role of the dam becomes prominent because it was only after its construction they met the demands of the arid region who were in great of dearth of water supply.

Design

When it comes to the engineering work of the dam then the site is constructed by making an efficient use of the elements like concrete which is prepared out of the limestone and rubble. Now when it comes to the balance and stability than the dam use its gravitational force to support the base of the reservoir.

History

An exclusive thought of diverting the westward flowing water to the eastern side of Vagai River was first visualised by Pradani Muthirulappa Pillai in the year of 1789. Though he had a keen interest to develop the project as he was the minister of the Ramnad king Muthuramalinga Sethupathy, but soon gave up the idea after realising the grossing amount to build it.

When it comes to the location than the idea of structuring the dam at the present site was idealised by the Captain J. L. Caldwell, Madras Engineers in the year of 1808 who thought of providing water to the people of Madurai by tapping the source of Periyar River through the tunnel from the passes of mountain.

Again soon after realising the amount of risk he would be taking to develop the project out thought his brilliant idea.

The several failures almost denied the dream project to divert the water from western flanks to eastern part to meet the crisis of water but it was again Captain J.G Ryves who carried out the study and submitted the tender in 1867 to finalise the work but then again the debate delayed the prospect. Finally in 1882 the plan was commissioned and approved by Major John Pennycuick, M.E and it was after that the plan was carried out and documented.