Leak in tunnel: Kakkad project shut down

By Our Staff Reporter

PATHANAMTHITTA, AUG. 28. The 50-MW Kakkad hydel power project has been shut down following the detection of a major leak in the concrete inter-connecting (IC) tunnel leading to the Kakkad power house from the Moozhiyar dam at Adit-5 at Seethakuzhi near Seethathode today.

The leakage of water in large quantity through the maintenance gate at Adit-5 has formed a stream leading to the Seethakkuzhi rivulet posing a flood threat to the people residing in the downstream of Seethakkuzhi.

According to the KSEB sources at Seethathode, the power house was shut down in the night after getting clearance from the senior officials who were reportedly away in their home towns.

However, there were allegations that the absence of any senior KSEB official to take timely decision with a view to avert any mishap and rectify the defect after closing down the tunnel gate at the Moozhiyar dam, landed the lower-level staff in a dilemma when the KSEB office was flooded with enquiries on the matter.

The District Collector, Mr. P.S. Enos, apprised the Revenue Secretary and the Power Secretary of the situation as he could not contact any senior KSEB officials at the power house at Seethathode or Moozhiyar.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister, Mr. A. K. Antony, directed the Power Secretary, Mr. N. V. Madhavan, who is also the KSEB Chairman, to take immediate steps to avert any mishap following the leakage of the tunnel.

The Kakkad project that generates power with the tail race waters of the Sabarigiri project was commissioned in 1999.

The DCC president, Mr. Peelippose Thomas, criticised the `callous neglect' on the part of the KSEB authorities in handling the situation which had necessitated the Chief Minister's intervention.

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Section  : Southern States
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