Kochi: The announcement by the State Government that it would go ahead with the Athirappilly hydro electric power project has created fear of a drinking water shortage in many places in Ernakulam district. The panchayats of Puthenveilkkara, Kuzhur, Parakkadvu and Kunnukara which depend on the Chalakudy river basin supply and Karukutty, Mookkannur, Angamaly, Kalady, Manjapra and Thuravoor panchayats which depend on the Thumboourmuzhy project will be facing a severe shortfall in the water requirements. The water flow to Thumboormuzhy will be halved by 50 per cent with the onset of the Athirappally project.
“The available data will show that the water flow will be down by at least 50 per cent”, says PS Ravi of the Chalakudy Puzha Samrakshana Samithi. The project will also increase the process of saline intrusion into areas such as Puthenvelikkara, Parakkadavu etc, he said. “The reports about the increase in salinity have been blamed on the Kanakkadavu bund. But, the fall in the water flow level is also a reason for the increase in the salinity levels”, Ravi said. The overall impact will also be felt by Periyar River and projects like the Idamalayar augmentation scheme.
The Kerala State Electricity Board has already conceded that it would stop power generation from the Idamalayar project with the commissioning of Athirappilly. The government is moving ahead with the project based on the techno-economic feasibility report prepared in 2005. “The changes in the project area and its surroundings in the past 10 years have not been taken into account by those championing the cause of the project”, said another activist campaigning against the venture.
