The Idukki archdam reflects a new freshness with white-coloured heat reflective coating. The arch dam coalesces into the white clouds when viewed from downstream. However, against the blue sky, it is vivid.
Though normally dam structures are not painted, the arch dam was given the heat reflective painting with the aim of reducing the heat expansion and giving the structure coolness through the coating. The ₹1 crore project is in the final phase of painting, a senior official of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) told The Hindu on Friday.
The work was begun nearly six months back. The proposal to coat the structure in heat reflective paint was put forward by the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the amount was funded by the World Bank though the Dam Rehabilitation and
Improvement Project (DRIP). A budgetary allocation was made to complete the work, he said. The DRIP was envisaged by the CWC in 2012 to complete work in a six-year period. The total estimated cost then was ₹2,100 crore and aimed at improving the large and small dams in the country numbering around 4,900, including 300 that were in different stages of construction.
The work was projected to be initially taken up on 223 dams in four States — Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Tamil Nadu. Karnataka was added to the list later.
The aim was to ensure the security and continuous functioning of all dams to ensure water availability, including for power generation and irrigation.
The Idukki arch dam has the unique feature of being the largest structure taken up under the DRIP.
The dam is now open to public in connection with the Onam season.
In 2013, it drew the largest number of visitors when the waters almost reached the brink. The Cheruthoni and Idukki arch dams will be opened to the visitors till September 15.
The official said the DRIP project was almost completed in the dam.
The Central Dam Safety Organisation under the CWC assisted by the consulting agencies supervises the project.