Aliyar Dam Travel Guide

Year of Construction

Aliyar Dam was constructed in 1959 as part of the large irrigation development programme known as the Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP). The project was designed to utilize the water resources of several rivers originating in the Western Ghats.

The dam plays a crucial role in storing and distributing water for irrigation in the Pollachi and surrounding agricultural regions.

Parambikulam–Aliyar Project (PAP)

The Parambikulam–Aliyar Project is one of the major inter-basin water transfer irrigation projects in South India. The project integrates multiple reservoirs, tunnels, canals, and dams to efficiently distribute water between river basins.

Aliyar Dam is one of the key reservoirs in this system and helps regulate water flow from the Western Ghats for irrigation and agricultural development in the plains of Tamil Nadu.

The project benefits large areas of farmland in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and surrounding districts.

Irrigation Importance

Aliyar Dam plays an essential role in supplying water for irrigation. Water stored in the reservoir is distributed through canals and irrigation networks that support agriculture in the surrounding plains.

The irrigation system helps farmers cultivate crops such as coconut, sugarcane, paddy, and vegetables in the Pollachi region, which is known for its fertile agricultural lands.

Dam Capacity

Aliyar Dam has a storage capacity of approximately 109 million cubic meters (MCM) of water. The reservoir stores water during the monsoon season and releases it for irrigation throughout the year.

The dam also contributes to water management under the Parambikulam–Aliyar irrigation network.

Catchment Area and Water Sources

The water stored in Aliyar Dam mainly comes from the Western Ghats catchment area, where heavy rainfall occurs during the monsoon seasons.

In addition to natural inflow from the hills, the Parambikulam–Aliyar Project also transfers water from other reservoirs and rivers through a network of canals and tunnels. This integrated water management system helps maintain a stable water supply for irrigation.

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Tourism at Aliyar Dam

Apart from its irrigation importance, Aliyar Dam is also a well-known tourist attraction near Pollachi. Visitors stop here while travelling to Valparai to enjoy the scenic views of the reservoir and surrounding mountains.

Nearby attractions include:

• Aliyar Dam Park

• Monkey Falls

• Aliyar Fish Aquarium

• Arivu Thirukoil (Temple of Consciousness)

• Pollachi–Valparai 40 Hairpin Bends road

These attractions make Aliyar Dam a perfect destination for nature lovers and travellers exploring the Western Ghats region.