As the AthirapPilly Hydel project has stopped because of environmental interests, now the State Electric Council of Kerala (KSEB) is now investigating whether it can be developed as a “integrated tourism generation project”.
The state energy instrument issued orders of 24 April for the “rebuilding of Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project” as a tourism friendly project. The 163 megawatt (MW) disposable project scheduled for Athirapily has remained in Limbo for years, although the KSEB has never officially left it.
His latest decision, says KSEB, aims to find out whether the project can be developed as the first integrated tour of tourism generation in tourism. As such, it will ensure the flow of water in the athirappilly scenic waterfall throughout the year, providing tourist equipment and at the same time guaranteeing energy safety for the future, says KSEB in an explanatory note issued on Monday.
The Hydel Projects, KSEB representative, recommended that the KSEB management center and human settlement (C-Earth), Kozhikode architecture (C-Earth), will be connected to the preparation of the main tourism plan for Athirap.
KSEB says that its intention is only to introduce the idea of the public and find out whether the project can be shifted with cooperation from all sides.
It also remarks that the Hydel project has been stopped, despite the provision of compulsory permits related to the environment and forest. The concern that the project will destroy the waterfalls of Athirappilly and its picturesque environment is completely unfounded, says KSEB.
The project was designed with the main generation units for 160 MW and a smaller 3 MW generator, which will operate continuously, which guarantees the flow of water throughout the year, says KSEB.
In addition, the dam designed within the project will serve as a measures against flood control, which will prevent floods from the lower reach of the Chalakku River, says.
The project also creates the potential of newer tourist equipment such as boat, Lanoway and zip line, according to KSEB.
Published – April 28, 2025 20:50
