Malampuzha Dam is the second largest dam and reservoirs in Kerala,[2] located near Palakkad, in the state of Kerala in South India, built post independence by the then Madras state. Situated in the scenic hills of the Western Ghats in the background it is a combination of a masonry dam with a length of 1,849 metres and an earthen dam with a length of 220 metres making it the longest dam in the state.[3] The dam is 355 feet high and impounds the Malampuzha River, a tributary of Bharathappuzha, Kerala's second longest river. There is a network of two canal systems that serve the dam's reservoir of 42,090 hectares.[4]
Construction
The dam project was begun in 1949 and completed in 1955. foundation stone for the project was laid on 27 March 1949, by the then Public Works Minister of Madras State, Sri M. Bhaktavatsalam as Palakkad was a part of the Madras Presidency during those times. The dam was constructed in record time, and on 9 October 1955, the then Chief Minister of Madras State, Thiru. K Kamaraj, inaugurated the dam. The total catchment area is 147.63 square kilometres,[5] and the reservoir has a capacity of 226 million cubic meters [5] of water. The canal systems serve to irrigate farmland while the reservoir provides drinking water to Paladin and surrounding villages.[4] The dam was constructed by the Madras government but upon the Creation of linguistically reorganized states, The Malabar District encompassing the Dam became a part of the Kerala State.
Location
15 km from Palakkad city, North Kerala. Attractions: Dam, amusement park, boating facilities, rock garden and ropeway.
Around the reservoir of the dam are gardens and amusement parks. Boating facilities are available on the lake.
Getting there
Nearest railway station: Palakkad Junction - 14 km [6]
Nearest airport: Coimbatore, 55 km from Malampuzha Dam [7]
