: The largest reservoir in the State and a major tourism spot, Malampuzha Dam and Garden, will celebrate its 60th anniversary with a string of events starting Friday. The three-day event is being organised in such a manner as to attract more tourists to Malampuzha and highlight the reservoir’s role in enhancing agricultural activities and tourism promotion in the State.
The dam was inaugurated on October 9, 1955 by the then Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K. Kamaraj. It was built to store water from different tributaries of the Bharathapuzha to irrigate the vast expanse of paddy fields in the traditional rice bowl of Kerala. Though envisaged as an irrigation dam, Malampuzha is now the major source of drinking water in the district.
Renovation works have already begun at the dam and garden premises. All musical fountains will be replaced and the structure will get a fresh coat of paint. Boating and lighting facilities will be enhanced. The dam and premises will remain lit during the anniversary fete. Mega cultural events will be held on all three days, including those that reflect the myths and historical facts surrounding Malampuzha.
The celebrations will be inaugurated by releasing 6,000 helium balloons. Political leaders have not been invited to the function in view of the code of conduct for the local body elections. Fifteen surviving workers who helped build the dam in the early Fifties will be honoured at the inaugural function.
Visualised by the then Madras presidency, the dam plan was announced in 1914. The then Public Works Minister K. Bhakathavatsalam laid the foundation stone in March 1949. A major attraction in the garden is Kanayi Kunjiraman’s sculpture, Yakshi. Kanayi Kunjiraman has approved the plan of the Irrigation Department to beautify the sculpture, which is in need of urgent repairs.
