Kozhikode: Power minister M.M. Mani has said that the government cannot give up Athirapilly project over 'non-existing issues.' Speaking at a programme 'Power: Challenges and Solutions' organised by Calicut Chamber of Commerce here on Sunday, he said that the project, which is vehemently opposed by greens, has central nod and it cannot be abandoned as such as electricity crisis looms over the State.
Mr. Mani said that the state needs big as well as small hydro-electricity projects to tide over the crisis. "We are buying 70 per cent of the total electricity required. Besides Athirapally, Pallivasal project which was shelved by the UDF government should also be operational," he added, pointing out that equipments worth crores are rusting off at project sites.
However, Mr. Mani refused to comment on power tariff hike as it was at the discretion of the Central regulatory commission to hike the tariff. However, he said that the commission's recommendation cannot be dismissed as the board is suffering a loss to the tune of Rs 6,000 crore. "If the commission recommends a hike, the government will decide on it after proper consultation," he said, expressing hope that renewable energy sources could be tapped more in future.
