The Iruvazhinjippuzha Samrakshana Samithi on Sunday came down heavily on CIAL Infrastructures Limited, alleging that it was ignoring the Additional District Magistrate’s order on restoring the damaged stretch of the Iruvazhinji River at Arippara, where construction work on a hydel power project is in progress.
Samithi leaders said even two days after the ADM had issued the order, no major restoration work had been carried out in the area, except for some cleaning works to hoodwink administrators.
Deadline
As per the ADM’s direction issued last Friday, CIAL Infrastructures should clear the construction waste by May 11. “But, given the ongoing pace of the work, there is no way the target will be met,” they said.
“We will not cooperate with any kind of reconciliation attempt if the damaged stretch of the river at Arippara is not restored. It should be done before the onset of the monsoon,” said P. Biju, a leader of the Samithi. He added that the situation would worsen if the debris would spread to other parts of the river during the monsoon, interrupting its flow.
Mr. Biju said the residents would not give up their protest if the CIAL repaired some of the damaged houses alone. “They are ready to compromise on the compensation package, but, no negotiations, without the completion of restoration work, will be acceptable,” he added.
Following the massive protest against the small hydel power project at Arppara, a number of environmental organisations from the rural areas of Kozhikode had come together and declared their support for the cause.
