Thrissur: Deviating from the earlier position of the Congress and UDF which had given all out support for the Athirappally hydel power project, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala, said here on Sunday that after knowing more about the project, his stand had changed. “Experts including KSEB engineers had earlier informed that hydel projects are the only cost effective way for power production in an environmental friendly way. But, after studying more about the proposed project and interacting with environmentalists and tribals, who will be adversely affected by the project, there is a change in the earlier stand,” Mr Chennithala said.
The senior Congress leader on Sunday visited the Athirappally, Vazhachal and Charpu waterfalls and took part in a seminar conducted by the Chalakkudy Assembly unit of the Congress on the project. But when asked by mediapersons whether he would oppose the project, he refused to give a clear answer.
“A detail study report on the project will be prepared by the Congress and it will be submitted to the KPCC and the government,” he said. Earlier all the prominent leaders in the Congress except V. M. Sudheeran were in favour of the project. On Sunday, Chennithala was accompanied by MLAs Anil Akkara, P. T. Thomas, who is known for his pro-stand on the Gadgil committee report on Western Ghats, apart from Anwar Sadath and Roji M. John.
