- The Vaigai Dam (original spelling Vaigai Dam) was built in the year 1959 under the first five-year plan.
- It is located about 13 km from Theni town, Tamil Nadu, close to the Periyar–Vaigai basin, in the Theni district.
- It provides water to the Theni district and Madurai district.
History:
- The Vaigai Dam project initially began in the 1940s with a proposal to construct a dam across the Vaigai river by an American engineering company.
- This proposal was later dropped in the mid-1940s, but in 1954 the first Five Year Plan of the government of India included the Vaigai Dam project.
- The construction of the dam began on June 18, 1955.
- It was completed and inaugurated on January 2, 1959, by then-President of India Rajendra Prasad.
Key People Involved:
- The Vaigai Dam project was initiated and funded by the government of India.
- The construction work was carried out by the Public Works Department of Tamil Nadu.
- K. Kamaraj was the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu at the time of the dam's construction.
Design:
- The Vaigai Dam is a gravity dam built with granite masonry.
- It is 1,150 ft. long and 152 ft. high.
- The dam's spillway has 20 bays of 20 ft. each.
Purpose:
- The Vaigai Dam is primarily used for irrigation purposes, providing water to agricultural land in the Theni and Madurai districts.
- It is also used for flood control and hydroelectric power generation.
Current Status:
- The Vaigai Dam is currently owned and maintained by the Water Resources Department of Tamil Nadu.
- It continues to serve as an important source of water for irrigation and hydroelectric power generation in the region.
Significance:
- The Vaigai Dam has played a significant role in the agricultural development of the Theni and Madurai districts, as well as in flood control and hydroelectric power generation.
- It is considered an important landmark and a symbol of engineering excellence in the state of Tamil Nadu.