Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 07: Tamil Nadu has no right to object to some of Kerala's mini-hydel projects like Pandiyar-Punnappuzha as the water sources of these schemes are well within the state's territory, Kerala Electricity Minister Kadavur Sivadasan said today. Tamil Nadu has no upper or lower riparian right or customary right to stake claim over or raise objections to these projects, Sivadasan said in reply to questions in the state assembly.
He said 18 mini-hydel schemes are being implemented with Chinese expertise in the state. Four of them would be commissioned shortly. Eight other schemes with a total capacity of 400 to 500 MW are pending central clearance. Most of the proposals are awaiting environmental clearance and there is a need to build a strong public opinion within the state against the projects being denied or delayed on flimsy environmental grounds, he added. Bureau Report