Thiruvananthapuram: K.Muraleedharan M.L.A. has stated that energy self-reliance was made prohibitive for the State because of unnecessary cry for environment. The State which cannot produce even half of the required 4200 megawatts, is now begging before neighbouring States for electricity. Yet, it has left projects like Athirappalli owing to emotional expressions of environmental activists.
“While K. Balan was electricity minister during LDF government, I have requested then opposition leader Oommen Chandy not to blindly oppose Athirappalli project. It is the lesson I could learn during my tenure as electricity minister that prompts me to be realistic in this issue”, Mr. Muraleedharan said.
A group of activists are triggering emotion of the society despite the green signal given by expert panels. “I do not question the wisdom of such people who claim to be wise, but they deliberately keep silence on alternatives to meet the energy needs. In Kerala Attappady was identified as the place most suitable for tapping wind energy. But the project to erect windmills there was thwarted by baseless allegation that it was meant to grab tribal land. Kerala could not receive the eligible share of electricity from Koodamkulam due to people ire against establishing electric lines over thier private properties. “Considering the current severity of energy crisis the State is facing today, I would even approve Silent Valley project. I don’t think abandoning of the project could do any good for our lion-tailed macaque “, Mr. Muraleedharan added.
He was speaking after inaugurating Urja Kiran energy conservation awareness campaign organized jointly by Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) and Sree Ramakrishnapuram Residents Association today (Sunday) at Nettayam here. Energy Management Centre (EMC) Kerala and Centre for Environment and Development provided financial and technical supports. President of the association, V.N. Madhu presided over. EMC Progamme Officer, P. Baiju made introductory speech.
Classes were offered by Energy auditor, Suresh Babu, and EMC’s resource person, Mehboob. CISSA general secretary, Dr. C. Suresh Kumar, Pidayannur Residents’ Association Secretary B. Babulal, Santhakumar and Bija spoke.
