Pattissery Dam project inaugurated in Idukki

The Pattissery Dam is set to spark an agricultural revolution in the Kanthalloor region, Water Resources Minister Roshi Augustine has said. While inaugurating the completion of the major irrigation project at Kanthalloor in Idukki district on Sunday, Mr. Augustine stated that the dam would secure both drinking water and irrigation for local farming during the summer months. He also revealed that administrative sanction for a new project, the “Lower Chattam Munnar” dam, will be granted soon.

According to officials, the Pattissery Dam is part of the Chenkalar project located in the Kanthalloor panchayat. The Water Resources Department completed the construction for ₹60.34 crore. The dam has a total storage capacity of one million cubic metres and is expected to provide irrigation to 240 hectares across the Kanthalloor and Keezhanthur areas. Officials noted that while the project faced numerous hurdles during development, construction is now finally complete.

Beyond agriculture, the project is expected to boost tourism in the Anchunad hills.

The newly-inaugurated Pattiserry Dam in Kanthaloor in Idukki.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Construction began in 2014 but was met with immediate resistance from Tamil Nadu due to the dam’s proximity to the border. Work eventually resumed after these legal and diplomatic hurdles were resolved. Officials highlighted that the Pattissery Dam is one of the most significant irrigation projects constructed on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border since the State’s formation. Water from the Mannavan Shola will be stored in the new reservoir.

The project’s initial estimate was ₹24 crore. However, work was halted twice by the contractor, who demanded a revised budget. The estimate was subsequently updated twice before construction could reach completion.

Kanthallur village is renowned for its tourism and cool-season vegetable farming. The new dam is expected to provide a significant boost to the local agricultural economy. Meanwhile, sources indicated that the project was officially inaugurated before the reservoir had been filled.

The ceremony was attended by Water Resources Department Chief Engineer Suja Graison, Irrigation Chief Engineer Benoy Tomy George, and Mechanical Chief Engineer Bejoy K., among others.