HISTORY:
Peechi Dam is situated 22 km (14 mi) outside Thrissur city in Kerala, India. The dam was started as an irrigation project for the surrounding villages in Thrissur. At the same time, it catered the drinking water needs of the population of Thrissur City. It serves as an irrigation dam, reaching out to the paddy fields in and around Thrissur city. Built across the Manali River, the dam is a vast catchment area of nearly 3,200 acres (1,300 ha) with extensive botanical gardens and cascading fountains offer numerous inviting avenues for tourists. One can see tuskers on the bank of Peechi-Vazhani Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1958 covering 125 square kilometres (48 sq mi).E. Ikkanda Warrier (1890–1977), the first Prime Minister of the then independent state of Kochi, India, was the architect of Peechi Dam. Majority of the Thrissurian opposed the dam cutting across the partyline. He brought a retired Chief Engineer from Andhra Pradesh to build the dam as engineers from Kerala opposed the project. The dam was completed in 1959. Burgula Ramakrishna Rao, first Kerala Governor on October 4, 1957 inaugurated the dam.