From The Hindu Archives, February 13, 1976: Idukki project will bring prosperity to Kerala and the nation

Cochin, Feb. 12: Commissioning the Rs. 110-crore giant Idukki hydel project completed with Canadian aid to-day, the Prime Minister, Mrs. Indira Gandhi, said she was dedicating it to the people of Kerala and the nation.

Mrs. Gandhi who flew into the mountainous range at Mooiamattam this morning from Cochin drove straight from the helipad to the underground power station and performed the formal commissioning.

As the new Prime Minister pressed a button from inside the underground power house water jetting down from a height of 700 metres surged through the nozzles and set a huge generator spinning. In a matter of 150 seconds, the State’s power generation soared up by 21 per cent.