Thiruvananthapuram: CPI, an ally of the government, has come up against the government’s decision to proceed with the Athirappilly project. CPI and the party’s youth association AIYF have already expressed their protest against the move.
They criticized that the project will harm the environment.
Now, the government has granted permission to KSEB to proceed with the project. On Tuesday, the government issued NOC to proceed with the project. As the news made headlines, CPI and AIYF have came forward protesting against the decision.
CPI has taken a stand against Athirappilly project from the period when it got drafted.
The hydroelectric project will destroy the popular Athirappilly waterfalls. The forest land near the catchment area, which is also part of the project will be submerged. With this project, KSEB has planned to generate 163 MW power.
AIYF pointed out that most of the study reports on environment examined that this project will ruin the environment. Hence, they noted that the project is completely against LDF’s policy.
“LDF contested in the last election by promoting environment friendly development as our slogan. Many studies proved that this project will destruct Athirappilly’s rich wildlife and ecological balance. Hence, the government should not be so adamant to implement the project which will not make any economic or environmental benefits,” told AIYF state president Sajilal to Mathrubhumi News.
“People in Athirappilly, environmentalists and progressive movement groups have been staging protest against the project. We have no idea who guided the government to proceed with the project by ignoring all these protests. If government proceeds with the project, a mass protest will be staged against it,” added Sajilal.
Meanwhile, addressing Mathrubhumi News, CPI leader Binoy Viswam stated that Athirappilly project will not benefit Kerala’s development or future.
“Athirappilly project is not the last resort to address the power shortage in Kerala. Earlier, government has withdrawn from the plan to execute the project. I have no idea whether the government is having any vested interests to execute the highly anti-environmental project,” he added.
“Most of the countries are scrapping hydroelectric projects. The world has realized that the huge dams are outdated. But Kerala is not learning such lessons from the world,” noted Binoy Viswam.
“Chief Minister stressed on the need of environment and public friendly development in post-flood Kerala. So, Athirappilly project has no place in such a development, he added.
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