CIAL clarifies on Arippara hydel power project

Facing protets to a mini hydel power project taken up by it in Arippara in the district, the Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) has said the project was environment-friendly and would benefit the people in the area.
The project, coming up in a 7.5 acres of land provided by individuals in mutual agreement, will produce4.5 MW in six months in a year when there is a good flow in Iruvazhinjipuzha, a CIAL release said here.
Reffering to protests by locals and environmental activists against the project and damage caused to some houes during the blasting of rocks for perliminary work, it said authorities were willing to address the issues.

The release said the state government, facing severe power crisis, hasgiven permission to the CIAL Infrastructure Ltd for construction of eight small dams and productionof hydel power and the Arippara project would help in tiding over the electricity shortage in the area to some extent.
CIAL, which isoperating the first solar-powered airport in the world, was boundto implement the hydel project in an environment-friendly manner, it said.
The release also noted that out of 32 persons whose houses were damaged, compensation had been provided to 27, adding those agitating were against the interest of the people of the state.
The project, for which the entire cost would be borne by CIAL, will be handedover to the government after 30 years.

Leaders of a local action council also threatened to move the Natonal Green Tribunal.