Kerala - Thrissur   

Hydel project protest gains momentum

Thrissur: The visit of writer Arundhati Roy to Athirappilly on Tuesday has given a new momentum to the environmentalists who have been campaigning against the proposed 163 MW hydel project.

The proposed Athirappilly hydel project is the seventh dam to be built across the 145.5-km Chalakudy river, the fifth largest in the State.

The Booker prize winner who had launched a fierce campaign against the Sardar Sarovar dam project in Narmada river told agitators at Athirappilly about the usual strategy of authorities: “When agitators get tired, they (authorities) revive projects. Nothing should stop you from preventing the Athirappilly project.”

Inaugurating a convention, ‘Jalaravam’, on Tuesday, the 100th day of the agitation against the Athirappilly dam, writer Sukumar Azhikode urged the Left Democratic Front government not to stand against the will of the people. People are aware of the environmental impact of the dam. If they do not want the project, the government should listen to their voices. A democratic government should have the sagacity to correct its mistakes,” Mr. Azhikode said.

He said that Electricity Minister A.K. Balan and the Kerala State Electricity Board are pretending that they are not aware of the possible environmental damage.

“Before he became a Minister, Mr. Balan understood the problems of the people. After assuming power, he has changed. An Onam greeting card he had sent me contained the message, ‘While exploring Nature, we should preserve and protect it for future generations.’ I urge the Minister to follow his own message,” Azhikode said.

Environmentalist M.K. Prasad said the Constitution maintained that protection of environment was the responsibility of citizens.

“Through the Athirappilly agitation, people are exercising their responsibility,” he added.

Environmentalist Smitu Kothari said the agitation was aimed at protecting the ‘right’ of the Chalakudy river to flow freely.

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