Athirappilly project: Chennithala demands public debate

Amidst "differences" in ruling LDF over the implementation of a hydro-electric project in ecologically sensitive Athirappilly in Kerala, Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Ramesh Chennithala today said a public debate over it was necessary to form a consensus.

Addressing a meet-the-press programme here, he said there were differences of opinion over the project both in LDF and opposition UDF and "the differences are more in LDF".

"In view of the differences prevailing in both the fronts, the matter should be consulted with leaders of parties and environmentalists. A unilateral decision will not benefit the state," he said.

"In view of the differences prevailing in both the fronts, the matter should be consulted with leaders of parties and environmentalists. A unilateral decision will not benefit the state

CPI, the second largest partner in the ruling LDF, had come out against the statement of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Power Minister Kadakampally Surendran favouring the project yesterday.

On the Mullaperiyar dam issue, Chennithala said Vijayan's stand would only harm the state's interest.

"The UDF stands by the unanimous resolution passed by the Assembly seeking construction of a new dam in place of the existing reservoir considering its safety," he said, adding it would not be good to proceed violating the contents and spirit of the resolution.

Vijayan had said there was no meaning for Kerala to keep "unnecessary" concern over the safety of the present more than a century-old dam.

Senior Congress leader and former Environment minister Jairam Ramesh today, in a separate event, criticised CM Vijayan's move to push the long pending hydro-electric project at ecologically sensitive Athirappilly, terming it a "perfect recipe for ecological disaster".

The Power Minister Surdendran said that the new CPM-led LDF government would implement the project proposed across Chalakkudy river in consultation with environmentalists and their organisations.

"Athirappilly project is a perfect recipe for ecological disaster which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and CM Vijayan will wreak on Kerala and the country," Ramesh told PTI.

"Athirappilly project is a perfect recipe for ecological disaster which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will wreak on Kerala and the country"

The CM had expressed that the 163 MW Athirappilly project proposed in forest areas a decade ago, would not hinder the course of the waterfall there and there was no need for any concern. Vijayan had also lamented that the project got stuck in a series of legal issues despite getting clearances from various departments.

Ramesh, who had rejected green clearance to the project during his stint as Environment Minister in 2011 in the UPA-II government, said his stand on Athirappally has been "clear, categorical and consistent".

"It is a stand taken by the then Principal Chief Conservator of Forest T M Manoharan, who was the Chairman of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) under three Chief Ministers. He had opposed the project citing the harm it could cause to the environment and ecology of the area," Ramesh said.

He said in a report in 2007, the Kerala State Biodiversity Board headed by B S Vijayan had also pointed out that the power project would adversely affect the ecology of the area.

Meanwhile, the CPI, a key partner in the LDF government, has come out openly against the CPM leaders' move to revive the project. Opposing the project, CPI leader and Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar said there was no change in his party's stand on the issue. 

The project planned at the water resource bed of Chalakudy river was revived during the 2006-2011 LDF rule in the state. The previous UDF government had also pressed for its clearance.