IDUKKI – January 26, 2026: On this day 54 years ago, while the rest of the country was celebrating Republic Day, a young IAS officer was racing against time in the misty hills of the Western Ghats to birth a new administrative identity for Kerala. Today, as Idukki marks its 54th anniversary, the state pauses to remember Dr. D. Babu Paul IAS, the first District Collector whose vision shaped this “Spice Garden” of Kerala.
A District Born in 24 Hours
The formation of Idukki on January 26, 1972, is a chapter of IAS lore. Following a directive from then-Chief Minister C. Achutha Menon, Dr. Babu Paul was tasked with establishing the district administration within just 24 hours.
Arriving in Kottayam late on the night of January 25, Paul and the then-Kottayam Collector, Raghunathan, scouted for a building. They eventually secured a rented space near the Union Club. On the afternoon of January 26, at 4:00 PM, Dr. Babu Paul hoisted the national flag and signed the documents, officially bringing Idukki—the 11th district of Kerala—into existence.
The Man Who Tamed the Arch
Before he was the Collector, Dr. Babu Paul was the Special Coordinator for the Idukki Hydroelectric Project. The construction of the Idukki Arch Dam—Asia’s largest arch dam—was facing severe delays due to labor strikes and technical hurdles.
Hand-picked by the government for his engineering background and administrative tact, Paul is credited with “taming” the project. He lived on-site, navigated complex labor negotiations, and ensured the dam was commissioned in 1975. His book, Giriparvom, provides a vivid account of these years, describing the “mesmerizing aroma of cardamom” and the struggles of building a township in the wilderness.
Painavu: A Strategic Choice
It was Dr. Babu Paul who insisted on Painavu as the district headquarters. While towns like Thodupuzha and Kattappana were in the running, Paul chose Painavu for its central location near the Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary and the dam site, envisioning it as a planned forest township.
A Lasting Legacy
Dr. Babu Paul’s relationship with Idukki was not merely professional; it was emotional. He often remarked, “I nurtured Idukki,” referring to the district as his own child. Beyond his administrative feats, he was a renowned scholar, theologian, and author of Veda Sabda Ratnakaram, a comprehensive Biblical lexicon.
As Idukki enters its 55th year, the district stands as a testament to Paul’s efficiency. From a “godforsaken land” (as he once jokingly called it in his early days) to a powerhouse of Kerala’s energy and tourism, Idukki’s journey remains inseparable from the legacy of Daniel Babu Paul.
Quick Facts: Idukki Formation
- Formed On: January 26, 1972.
- Carved From: Devikulam, Udumbanchola, and Peermade taluks (from Kottayam) and Thodupuzha taluk (from Ernakulam).
- First Collector: Dr. D. Babu Paul IAS.
- Etymology: Derived from the Malayalam word ‘Idukku’, meaning a narrow gorge.
