Nod for construction of Lower Chatta Munnar dam

The State government has granted administrative sanction for the construction of a new dam, the Lower Chatta Munnar Dam, in Idukki. According to Water Resources Minister Roshy Augustine, the dam will be built on the Pambar River to utilise the water allocated to Kerala under the Cauvery Tribunal order.

The project has a total estimated cost of ₹100 crore. The dam is expected to have a storage capacity of 0.78 TMC and will span a total area of 80 sq kms. Officials stated that the project will benefit over 12,000 farmers in the Marayur and Kanthalloor regions of Idukki district. By providing irrigation to 1,057 hectares of land, the dam is expected to boost the production of sugarcane, paddy, vegetables, and groundnuts.

Mr. Augustine noted that the survey process is complete, calling the administrative sanction a major achievement for the sector. He added that construction of the dam will begin soon.

Beyond agriculture, officials noted that the dam will support several drinking water projects and boost tourism in the Marayur and Kanthalloor areas.

The announcement follows Sunday’s inauguration of the newly constructed Pattissery Dam in Kanthalloor. Part of the Chenkalar project, the Pattissery Dam was completed by the Water Resources Department at a cost of ₹60.34 crore. It has a storage capacity of one million cubic meters and will irrigate 240 hectares across Kanthalloor and Keezhanthur.