Minister for Power M.M. Mani has asserted that the State government has not shelved the proposed 163-MM Athirappally hydroelectric power project though it is a highly sensitive issue in Kerala.
Opening a discussion on ‘Challenges in power generation and solution’ organised by the Calicut Chamber of Commerce at K.P. Kesava Menon Hall, here, on Sunday, the Minister said any rethinking about the project which was already approved by the Union government would be a great loss to the State.
Mr. Mani pointed out that the State would not be able to go back from implementing newer projects unmindful of the future requirements. “We want to make our people aware of the existing situations and win a favourable opinion from them other than just leaving the new undertakings in the name of protests citing environmental concerns, he said.
Explaining the challenge of the state to source around 70 % of the power from other States, the Minister said the delay in finding alternative power generation possibilities and newer projects would push the State into further crisis. Generating just 30 % of the total requirement would no way save Kerala from the looming power crisis with the steep fall in rain and shortage of stored water in various reservoirs, he pointed out.
Referring to the increasing power crisis in the Northern Kerala region, the Minister said the lack of the required power generation plants was playing spoilsport to address the regional concerns. “Line upgrading works are now underway to find a viable solution. Also, we have decided to improve the number of sub stations in this region, he said.
Stressing on the need to improve the current transmission network across the State, the Minister said the computerisation works to streamline the whole process were in progress in several areas. The project would shortly near completion in Kozhikode district and complaints related to power interruptions could be lessened to a large extent, he pointed out.
eom.
