Idamalayar irrigation Project
The Idamalayar Irrigation Project is mainly aimed for irrigating vast cultivable land lying in Periyar Basin on the right side of Periyar River in Aluva and Paravur Taluks of Ernakulam District and Mukundapuram Taluk of Thrissur District. It also envisages extension of irrigation on left and right bank of Chalakudy River. Now water distribution through Chalakudy left bank and right bank canals under CRDS are being done through Thumburmuzhy weir across Chalakudy river. After completing Idamalayar Irrigation Project, water from Bhoothathankettu barrage will be benefitted to Main canal, Low Level Canal and Chalakudy left Bank canal (under CRDS) through connecting Link Canal and hence water from Thumburmuzhi weir will be benefitting exclusively for Chalakudy Right Bank Canal. The total additional ayacut for irrigation aimed at, by the implementation of the Project using the water of Periyar and Chalakudy Rivers is 14394 hectares. Out of this, ayacut of 4083 ha. is achieved. The main source of water is Idamalayar Dam of Kerala State Electricity Board which is already completed and the run off from the free catchment upstream of Bhoothathankettu. The Project started in 1981 with approved cost of Rs. 17 crores. The project was approved by State Government for Rs. 107 crores as per 1992 Schedule of Rates.
The Main canal of length 32.278 km (100%) completed. 14.789 km of Low level canal is
completed out of 14.863 km. 2.793 km of Link canal is completed out of 7.575 km.