Kallar plan back to fore

THIRUVANANTHPAURAM: Just when the new LDF Government is finding Athirappilly too hot to handle, KSEB Limited is thinking of reviving the 60 MW Twin Kallar Multipurpose scheme that was dumped long before because the project cost was prohibitive and involved the submergence of over 1200 hectares of forest land.

However, the Twin Kallar revival is seen as nothing more than a move to deter Tamil Nadu's designs on Kerala's natural resources. The project involves the construction of two dams, one across Achankovil and the other across Pampa. A recent director board meeting has urgently accorded sanction for the implementation of the Rs-1887-crore project.

“The meeting called for the need to revive Twin Kallar Multipurpose Project in the light of the sustained effort of Tamilnadu for getting approval for Pampa-Achankovil-Vaipar Link Project and the affidavit filed by them in the Supreme Court for achieving the purpose,” a top KSEB official said.

The Pampa-Achekovil-Vaipar Link (PAVL) project, proposed by Tamil Nadu, seeks to divert 634 Million Cubic Metre from the Pampa to Vaipar to irrigate 91,400 hectares of land in drought prone districts of Tamil Nadu. KSEB, on the basis of scientific studies, argue that the PAVL project would destroy Kuttanad rice farming, decimate the ecologically sensitive Vembanad wetland ecosystem and also damage the biodiversity of Western Ghats.

“Tamil Nadu’s argument has been that Pampa has excess unutilized water. But now, by reviving the Twin Kallar, the KSEB is attempting to establish that the waters of its rivers are required for the state’s power and agriculture needs,” the source said. The Twin Kallar project is expected to irrigate 7045 hectares of cultivated areas in Achankovil basin and could be used for raising third crops in 13955 hectares.

The water, sources said, will be used for the supply schemes for the towns on the bank of Achenkovil river, Kuttanad backwater scheme and for meeting the water demand of NTPC plant at Kayamkulam.