Peechi Dam

Peechi Dam
Shutters of Peechi Dam
Official name	Peechi Dam
Location	Peechi, Thrissur, Kerala, India
Construction began	1947
Opening date	1957
Operator(s)	Irrigation Department, Kerala
Dam and spillways
Height	8.46 metre
Length	213 metre
Width (base)	4.27 metre
Reservoir
Creates	Manali River
Capacity: tmc ft.

Peechi Dam is situated 22 km (14 mi) outside Thrissur city in Kerala, India. The dam was started as an irrigation project for the surrounding villages in Thrissur. At the same time, it catered the drinking water needs of the population of Thrissur City. It serves as an irrigation dam, reaching out to the paddy fields in and around Thrissur city. Built across the Manali River, the dam is a vast catchment area of nearly 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) with extensive botanical gardens and cascading fountains offer numerous inviting avenues for tourists. One can see tuskers on the bank of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958 covering 125 square kilometres (48 sq mi).

History

Entrance of Peechi Dam

E. Ikkanda Warrier (1890–1977), the first Prime Minister of the then independent state of Kochi, India, was the architect of Peechi Dam. Majority of the Thrissurian opposed the dam cutting across the partyline. He brought a retired Chief Engineer from Andhra Pradesh to build the dam as engineers from Kerala opposed the project. The dam was completed in 1959. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, first Kerala Governor on October 4, 1957 inaugurated the dam.^[1]

Travelling

A commemorative plaque installed for the engineers and workers who built the Peechi Dam.

• By Road: Peechi Dam is well connected to Thrissur city. It is at a distance of 15 km (9.3 mi) from Thrissur city and have regular Kerala transport and private buses.
• By Rail: The nearest railway station to Peechi Dam is the Thrissur Railway Station, which is only at distance of 22 kilometers.
• By Air: The nearest airport to Peechi Dam is the Kochi International Airport which is at a distance of only 68 km (42 mi).

A view of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary from Peechi Dam

Accommodation

• Accommodation facilities can be availed at the rest house and the information centre.
• Hotels are available in Thrissur City.

Statistics

• One of the oldest dams in Kerala
• Type of Dam: Concrete Straight Gravity

See also

• List of dams and reservoirs in India

Contractor: Mr N O Inasu, Nadakkavukaran .

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Peechi Dam.

Tourist attractions in Thrissur
Dams	Chimmony Dam Peechi Dam Peringalkuthu Dam Poomala Dam Sholayar Dam Vazhani Dam
Beaches and Waterfalls	Athirappilly Falls Charpa Falls Pattathippara Falls Vazhachal Falls Marottichal Chavakkad Beach Munakkal Beach Snehatheeram Beach
Forts and Palaces	Cheraman Parambu Cranganore Fort William Fort Puthen Kovilakam Punnathurkotta Merry Lodge Palace Kollengode Palace Merry Lodge Palace Kodungallur Kovilakam Shakthan Thampuran Palace
Boatraces	Kandassankadavu Boat Race Triprayar Boat Race
Parks and Zoos	Vanchikulam Thrissur Zoo Viyyur Jail Park Padinjarechira Vadakkechira Vilangan Hills Thekkinkadu Maidan Nehru Park, Thrissur Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary
Exhibitions and film festivals	Thrissur Pooram Exhibition ViBGYOR Film Festival Thrissur International Film Festival International Theatre Festival of Kerala
Buildings	Bible Tower Sobha City Mala Synagogue Ramanilayam Cheraman Juma Masjid Thrissur Town Hall Banerjee Memorial Club Cochin State Forest Tramway Municipal Corporation Building, Thrissur
Festivals	Puli Kali Aanayoottu Ilanjithara Melam Thrissur Pooram Peruvanam Pooram Arattupuzha Pooram Machad Mamangam Chembai Sangeetholsavam Feast of Saint Raphael, Ollur Edakkunni Uthram Vilakku
Prehistoric	Ariyannur Umbrellas Kudakkallu Parambu Chovvanur burial cave Punarjani Guha
Museums	Archaeological Museum, Thrissur Vallathol Museum Mural Art Museum Devaswom Museum Ramavarma Appan Thampuran Memorial Vaidyaratnam Ayurveda Museum