The former Collector had recommended to the government that a detailed environmental impact study be conducted but nothing happened
Alappuzha, First Published Jun 24, 2022, 7:36 AM IST
Alappuzha: The contract for sludge removal at Varattar and Aadi Pampa was awarded over the objections of the Irrigation Department itself. Dr P Venugopal, the then District Collector of Pathanamthitta, told Asianet News that a 2012 survey report by the Irrigation Department said that mechanized dredging in rivers would lead to serious environmental disasters. Venugopal further said that he had reported to the government that the mining permit should be issued only after conducting a detailed EIA.
It was clear that the contract given to remove the mud from the rivers in the sand plunder hidden behind the Great Flood overcame the opposition of the Irrigation Department. The proposal to remove the mud first came in 2012. But the department’s survey report said that mechanized dredging could cause environmental disasters. According to P Venugopal, he had lodged the report in 2012 when he was the District Collector. He recommended to the government that a detailed environmental impact study be conducted. His suggestion was that the matter of mining should be decided only after this. But it did not happen.
According to Venugopal, the Adi Pampa and Varatar rivers are the gold mines of the sand lobby. 58 years old. Living near the Cheloorkadavu bridge, which carries hundreds of loads of sand. The locals are worried and in pain over these words that even drinking water will be cut off.
With the report that mining should be permitted only after conducting a detailed environmental impact study, the question of who drew the strings in the background to carry out dredging in the rivers after the Great Flood is relevant.
Last Updated Jun 24, 2022, 7:36 AM IST
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