Work on a small hydroelectric project at Arippara in Kodenchery panchayat, undertaken by CIAL Infrastructures Limited, has been affected due to protests by environmental activists. Local residents have also opposed the project as the drilling and blasts have caused cracks on the walls of their houses.
Leaders of a local action council have threatened to move the National Green Tribunal to get the work stopped and the residents compensated. They allege that instructions by authorities to follow eco-friendly construction norms were ignored.
“Frequent blasts to remove rocks along the Iruvanji river is causing huge damage to the river in several stretches. If work continues, it will hamper the ecology of the region,” say action council members Joseph Unnathingal and Antony Moothedath. They allege that the construction work is also causing water pollution.
Panchayat support
The Kodenchery grama panchayat authorities support the residents’ protest. Though the panchayat council is not opposing the ₹15-crore power venture, they make it clear that the concept of eco-friendly construction cannot be ignored.
“We are not against realising the mini hydel project as it will address the power crisis to a great extent. The issue now taken up by the residents is the impact of rock explosions. Those who have suffered losses should get reasonable compensation,” says Kodenchery panchayat vice president Thampi Parakandathil. He says the local body cannot ignore the people’s protest as the ecologically sensitive area has been witnessing frequent landslides and other natural calamities.
However, the CIAL sources say the construction work, including a weir, its intake, protection walls, slope protection works, valve chambers, trash tack slots and tailrace channel, are all part of the 4.5-MW project and utmost precautions have been taken to reduce environmental impact. They add that steps are in place to address the complaints of the residents in consultation with the local body.
