The United Democratic Front (UDF) will not permit the State government to implement the Athirappilly hydroelectric power project, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala has said.
He told reporters here on Thursday that the government move in this score went against the assurance given in the Assembly that it would implement the project only after evolving a consensus among political parties and other stakeholders. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had intimated the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests that work on the project had commenced. This was aimed at overcoming the hurdles in seeking a fresh environment clearance from the Centre, he said.
Cost factor
The Forest Department had already said that it would permit the KSEB to use its land for the project. The project cost had been pegged at ₹993 crore to overcome the hurdles in securing the technical and economic clearances from the Centre. Such clearances were needed only for projects costing above ₹1,000 crore. The actual project cost was ₹1,003 crore.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) could not evolve a consensus even among its constituents. The CPI had opposed it. All environmental fourms had opposed the project. Still, the government was trying to go ahead. When reminded that it was the UDF government that secured the environmental clearance, Mr. Chennithala said that now the front was aware of its ramifications and would oppose it.
