Nitta Gelatin India Limited (NGIL) at Kathikudam, near here, has refuted the charge that the untreated effluents released by the company have been polluting the Chalakudy River.

Treatment plant

Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, NGIL managing director G.

The interference of the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) spelled doom for the Athirappilly Hydel Power Project in the State, Power Minister A.K. Balan has said.

Sudha Nambudiri

KOCHI: It is indeed ironic that Kerala with its large number of waterbodies is facing water shortage.

The proposed Chalakudy Hydel Project, the seventh along the 145-kilometre journey of the already dammed river, could submerge 140 hectares of prime forestland which is home to diverse species of fauna including the Great Indian Hornbill and the Asiatic Elephant. The dam site is a key elephant corridor, points out Akber Ayub

THRISSUR: There is no dearth of examples to substantiate the observations made the other day by Sukumar Azhikode - 'expert opinions are often untrue, farce' - while inaugurating dharna against the proposed Athirappilly hydroelectric project here.

An example is the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) on the project which was carried out by Water and Power Consultency Services Private Limited (WAPCOS), Hariyana.

The Kerala State Electricity Board had assigned the study to WAPCOS on October 8, 2002 and the consultants submitted the study report to KSEB next year.