Kerala govt gives NOC to Athirapally project, faces stiff opposition

The Kerala government has issued a fresh no-objection certificate (NOC) for the state electricity board to proceed with the implementation of the proposed Athirapally hydro-electric project, which had been shelved several times in the past due to protests by green activists.

CPI, a partner in the CPI(M)-led LDF government, on Wednesday joined the Congress-led Opposition and environmentalists in demanding the withdrawal of the NOC, which was issued on June 4. A fresh NOC was mandatory for the state electricity board for getting the techno-economic clearance revalidated from the Central Electricity Authority. The clearance of the project had expired in 2008. The NOC was granted for seven years as per the demand of the electricity board.