Former PWD engineer bats for memorial for John Pennycuick in Madurai

For the last few weeks, several wards in Madurai city have been getting piped drinking water through a new drinking water scheme. The sweetness of the generously supplied water has led to loss of business to several suppliers of canned water in the city.

But, not many know that the water supplied to the houses is directly drawn from Lower Dam of Mullaperiyar Dam in Idukki district of Kerala.

This was made possible by British Engineer Colonel John Pennycuick, who cared for the water-starved region of Melur. “He took up one of the most challenging tasks more than 100 years back and diverted the west-flowing Periyar river to Tamil Nadu by tunnelling a mountain of the imposing Western Ghats,” said former Executive Engineer of Tamil Nadu Public Works Department S. Suthanthira Amalraj.

Madurai district has been receiving the water of Mullaperiyar Dam, built in 1895, for long. “It has been used for irrigating Madurai and Sivaganga districts. Ayacut of over 2 lakh acres is benefitting due to the Periyar water. Similarly, Madurai city has been getting the Periyar water drawn near Vaigai dam for drinking purposes.

“Though two drinking water schemes for the city have been implemented in the past, not many know that they are actually consuming the Periyar water. The names of the schemes are after Vaigai dam,” Mr. Amalraj said.

But now a new drinking water project, named after Mullaperiyar, under AMRUT scheme, is under execution. “But, still, people of Madurai are not aware of the hardship and the determination of Col. Pennycuick, but for whose perseverance the city could not have had a permanent water source for irrigation and drinking purposes,” he said.

Theni district still reminisces the good work of the British engineer with a memorial. Theni farmers also show their gratitude by naming their children after John Pennycuick. “It’s time for Madurai and its people too to display their respect and remember Col. Pennycuick,” Mr. Amalraj said.

The PWD office premises had a life-size statue of Pennycuick. But, the city should have a memorial to remind youngsters of the benevolence of Pennycuick.

“A model of Periyar dam that diverts the west-flowing river to Tamil Nadu can be established in some children’s park, which gives access to public, in the city. It will serve the purposes of knowing the significance of Mullaperiyar dam and remembering a great engineer who quenched the thirst of Madurai district,” he added.