Govt considering environmental clearance to Athirapally project

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

New Delhi, May 12 (UNI) The Government has admitted that the livelihood worries of people displaced due to the construction of 163 mw hydel power project at the Athirapally Waterfalls in Kerala had not been adequately addressed, which has led to discontent among them.

It, however, said environmental clearance to the project was under consideration.

A team of the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) for River Valley and Hydroelectric Projects visited the proposed sites last month and found that people living in Athirapally , whose income is mainly tourist dependent, are agitated, as KSBEC had not made adequate efforts to assuage their worries, Minister of State for Environment and Forest Namo Narain Meena said.

There are two tribal settlements--one with 18 families at the upstream side of the dam and the other with 58 families at downstream(about 400 mt from the dam) site of the dam.

During the period of power generation, the intense flows spill over the crest of the weir into the stream without providing enough flows in the canals for irrigation.

The tail end areas of the canals would be worst affected, particularly during late stages of the Rabi crop season. The present condition of the weir and the head reaches of the canals need repair. The low level sluices in the weir and the canal head reaches have large leakages.

The ground water levels in the canal commands have been falling to the dissatisfaction of the people in the command. Drinking water supply is also consequently getting affected.

The site visit report of the sub committee is being placed before the meeting of EAC scheduled to be held on May 16 for its recommendation.

The Government will take any action after EAC's recommendations are available, said the Minister.

UNI

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