Energy expert and former KSEB Member (Generation) K. Radhakrishnan, who has been campaigning for the implementation of the Athirappilly hydroelectric project for long, has welcomed the statements of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Power Minister Kadakampally Surendran in favour of the project. Speaking to The Hindu , he said considering the grim power scenario in the State, the government’s stand on the issue deserved wholehearted support. He added that the Athirappilly project was conceived in such a manner that it would have minimal impact on the environment.
‘Hurdles invented’
“The authorities concerned have been adequately apprised about the project at several stages before obtaining clearance. Unfortunately, hurdles were invented to stall the project,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said.
The total area that will be submerged is only 104 hectares, of which natural forests cover only 28.4 hectares. The 163-MW project will have an annual yield of 233 million units. He recalled that environmental clearance for the project was accorded in 1998 on the basis of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) conducted by the Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute as well as several site visits by experts. “The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had approved the technical feasibility of the project, and after necessary clearances, the project was tendered for execution in 2001. It was after this, efforts to torpedo the project began. This led to a fresh EIA by Water and Power Consultancy Services India Limited, resulting in the project obtaining a fresh environment clearance. After clearing all objections, the CEA again gave the techno-economic clearance for the project in 2005,” he added.
‘Considering the grim power scenario in the State, the Athirappilly project is the need of the hour.’
