Hydel projects to ring death knell to Chaliyar

KOZHIKODE: Two entities, Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) and Minar group, who have bagged a 33-year concession to operate hydel power projects on the Chaliyar River basin in Kodanchery near Thiruvambadi, have started work. One of them is allegedly diverting the stream for constructing a powerhouse.

The powerhouse of the Pathankayam Hydel project in Iruvanjippuzha, which is nearing completion, is coming up almost in the river. The group had purchased land to divert the river.

The powerhouse is coming up just hundred metres from the dam site of CIAL at Arippara. A DC team that visited the spot found massive destruction of river banks. A KSEB official who preferred anonymity pointed out that such constructions should not be allowed on adjacent points and diverting the river would have longstanding consequences.

The one executed by CIAL across the river basin of Chaliyar at Arippara aims at generating 4.5 megawatts in six months in a year when there is a good flow. The project is coming up at a cost of Rs 36 crore which would be completed by 2018. 

Minar's project aims at generating four megawatts and works of the powerhouse also is nearing completion. The two are part of two dozen hydel power projects placed nefore investors at the ‘Emerging Kerala’ meet and many of them are on execution stage at various parts of the state.