A meeting of the action council opposing the proposed route of the 400 kV power highway linking the Koodankulam atomic power plant in Tamil Nadu to Makadakkathara in Thrissur district via Kottavasal, Edamon-East, Koodal, Konni, Ranni, Kulathoor, Kottayam and Ernakulam, on Thursday decided to strongly resist any move to implement the project in its present form.
The meeting, held in Pathanamthitta, resolved not to permit any survey in the disputed areas by officials attached to the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (PGCIL) or the State government.
Council president Manojkumar Charalel presided the meeting. Office-bearers of various panchayat-level vigilance groups (Jagrata Samitis) attended the meeting. Jyotishkumar Malayalappuzha, action council convener, and P.T.Koshy, treasurer, were also present.
Mr. Jyotishkumar alleged that the PGCIL move to conduct a survey in the property of the people of Konni, Koodal, etc, in the past two days without even serving a notice to them amounted to trespass. The council would not permit any survey along the proposed route as it would displace thousands of families from their dwelling place and farmlands. The council was demanding a realignment of the power highway, avoiding populated areas to the maximum possible limit.
Mr. Jyotishkumar said the power highway in its present form would affect thousands of families in Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
The State government has launched the 400 kV power highway project to bring in the State’s share of electricity from Koodankulam.
The council would stage a dharna before the Mini Civil Station in Pathanamthitta on September 19 to press its demands, Mr. Jyotishkumar said.
Anto Antony, MP, will inaugurate the dharna. Adoor Prakash, MLA, will deliver the keynote address.
The council has also decided to launch a door-to-door awareness campaign in the affected areas in the next one week.
