Kerala asks PM to intervene in Athirapally hydro project

Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 (UNI) Kerala today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to intervene in getting sanction for the proposed Athirapally hydro electric project across the Chalakudy river.

It had been ten long years that the state had been waiting for clearance and now when clearance had been got, there should not be any delay in sanctioning the project, Kerala Electricity Minister A K Balan said in a message to the Prime Minster.

The message had been sent now as there were certain reports that the expert committee of the Ministry of Environment had denied clearance to the project, a statement quoting him said.

Mr Balan said environmental studies had been conducted and the report submitted to the Centre, stating there were no major environmental problems still, it had been delayed.

Taking into account the electricity problems in the state, he said the Left government aimed at generating 500 MW of electricity in the next five years.

UNI