Vaigai Dam


The Vaigai Dam is built across the Vaigai River near Andipatti, in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu, southern India. It provides water for irrigation for the Madurai district and the Dindigul district as well as drinking water to Madurai and Andipatti. Near the dam, the Government of Tamil Nadu has constructed an Agricultural Research Station for researching the growing of a variety of crops, including rice, sorghum, blackgram, cowpea and cotton.

History

Vaigai Dam was inaugurated on 21 January 1959 by then Tamil Nadu chief Minister Mr. K.Kamaraj.

Capacity

Vaigai Dam measures 111 ft in height and can store water up to 71 ft, with a total storage capacity of 6,143 mcft.

Maintenance

Vaigai Dam is maintained by Water Resources Department which in turn managed by the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department. The dam is illuminated every Sunday as it is one of the premier picnic destinations in the region.

Vaigai Dam Park

A Small and beautiful park is maintained by the Water Resources Department on both sides of the Dam. A small bridge connects the two sides of the park in front of the dam. The park also have a children play area.

Vaigai Dam Hydroelectric Power Plant

Vaigai Hydroelectric Power Plant was design capacity of 6 MW. It has 2 unit of 3 MW each. The first unit was commissioned in 1990. It is operated by Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited.

Upcoming developments

Vaigai Dam is one of the 104 dams in Tamil Nadu that is proposed to be improved under the Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project.

Transportation

By Road:The dam is situated at 7 km from Andipatti, 14 km from Theni and 70 km from Madurai.
By Train:The nearest railway station is Dindigal station which is located 61 km away from the dam. The Railway station in Theni is not functioning.
By Air:The nearest airport is Madurai Airport which is 80 km away from the Dam. Air connectivity is available from Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Vijayawada. International connectivity is available to Colombo, Dubai and Singapore.

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